Layer de la Haye Parish Council: Annual Project Update

Shaping Our Village: Plans for the Coming Year

Our priority is to protect the unique character of Layer de la Haye while ensuring our community facilities are fit for the future. Over the next 12 months, we are focusing on key projects specifically funded by developer contributions (S106) and local income. We welcome your feedback and suggestions on each initiative.

1. Play Park Transformation & Upgrades

• The Reason & Status: Our play equipment is aging. Using dedicated Section 106 developer funding, we are modernising the space with a 1-year delivery timeline. We have explicitly asked bidding companies to include equipment for younger children, inclusive structures for all abilities, and multigenerational fitness/play areas for teenagers and adults.

2. Protection and Promotion of Malting Green

• The Reason & Status: Malting Green is registered as Common Land and the owner is Layer de la Haye Parish Council. Malting Green faces ongoing vehicle abuse from joy riders and drivers who ignore requests not to drive or park on the grass. There is also the potential for illegal encampments. In mid-June this year an encampment of 20 travellers’ caravans was moved on from Hilly Fields, and there have been several incidents of travellers illegally occupying sites at Tollgate and Stane Park in recent years. Travellers have previously been moved from sites in the village, therefore the Parish Council believe it would be short sighted to assume it could never happen. Addressing unauthorised encampments legally requires police involvement, which typically only occurs if criminal damage is committed. To safeguard the green, and address the above issues, and encourage positive community use, we are seeking planning permission to install restrictive wooden posts (not bollards) using allocated village development funding. We will also be adding more benches to the area.
• Important Proposal Clarifications:
  • Access: This will not restrict permitted public enjoyment. Security drop posts (not shown in imagery) will grant permitted access to any segment on request.
  • Images: We have generated a set of images to give an idea what the proposed posts would look like – click here to see them. The pictures provided are an AI mock-up; the real posts will be similar to those used at Stanway, with exact spacing following our project brief.

3. Queen Elizabeth Hall Sustainability Upgrades

• The Reason & Status: To reduce the hall’s carbon footprint and shield it from rising energy costs, we are upgrading the flat roof insulation and installing solar panels. Engineering assessments are being finalised, and installation quotes are being gathered.

4. Malting Green Pond Restoration & Village Amenities

• The Reason & Status: To restore water quality and protect wildlife habitats, plans are being drawn up to clear silt and invasive vegetation safely and secure the banks. We welcome local volunteer groups for future conservation days. Separately, the Council is planning to install a few more dog bins across the village.

5. Multi Sports Courts Surface Renewal

• The Reason & Status: To keep our sports facilities safe and high-quality for all ages, a comprehensive surface renewal is being progressed utilising allocated Section 106 funding. Structural assessments are currently underway.

How to Have Your Say

Please email comments, ideas, or feedback to the Parish Clerk at parish.clerk@layerdelahayeparishcouncil.gov.uk, or attend our next monthly meeting at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Please Note: Comments on any of the village Facebook pages cannot be responded to by councillors. To ensure your views are officially received and considered, please use the direct email or attend the meeting.