Barham Park Trust Developments

Further details about the buildings of the Barham Park Trust have been published. 

• ACAVA now has a formal 15 year lease (starting from September), and hope to start a community arts project in March.  
• The "Card room" is proposed to be let out as a cafe, as the earlier public consultation suggested.  From the report, it is clear that the Card room is only in a sufficiently good state of repair for leasing with substantial investment. This is why it was set aside when the decision to rent to ACAVA was made.  Park cafes work well elsewhere, in Gladstone Park or Roundwood Park for example, so I hope the Barham proposal comes off.
• The Committee is also asked to approve a regularization of the occupation by the Veterans Club in the Snooker Room. 
• There is also a proposal to put the Lounge area out to a permanent occupation, rather than the current ad hoc arrangements.

It strikes me as extraordinary that it should take so long to sort out these buildings.  Of course a lot of the reason is the misguided decision of the Planning Committee to refuse change of use.

Incidentally, capital funding has also been provided for outdoor gym equipment in the park.  This is the kind of incremental improvement thatis possible now that the Park has a long term strategy.