Games Area scheme could be switched

19 January 2010

Derbyshire Dales District Council is likely to look for alternative sites for a new £100,000 outdoor multi-use games area (MUGA) because of the expense of addressing local residents’ noise concerns at the proposed Dimple site between Matlock and Darley Dale.

The only solution to the noise problem at the Dimple would be an unsightly high noise barrier and siting the MUGA next to existing football pitches. 

However the cost of the noise barrier, combined with the need for additional construction such as piling and power supplies, would more than double the cost of the MUGA to over £200,000.

It now looks likely that Derbyshire Dales District Council will seek to create the MUGA in a more suitable location in the Central area of the district.

In the past two years Derbyshire Dales District Council has helped to build MUGAs in Wirksworth, Eyam, Bakewell and on Matlock’s Hurst Farm Estate.  Another is planned for Ashbourne.

Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Director of Planning and Development Services Dave Brooks said: “It has not been possible for a site to be found for the MUGA on the Dimple that does not include extensive piling and noise barriers that would far exceed the £100,000 available.

“As always, the District Council’s aim is to deliver value for money, so it is now less likely that a MUGA will be built on this site and more likely it will be built at a more suitable location.”

Meanwhile, work on the landmark central area leisure centre development site above the A6 road remains on schedule. 

The green and customer-friendly leisure centre will include a main sports hall, secondary sports hall, fitness gym, eight-lane 25-metre swimming pool with spectator seating, a learner pool and beach area.  It is also being built with renewable energy features such as solar panels, rainwater recovery, and combined heat and power.

Mr Brooks added: “I would stress that completion of the overall leisure centre development is still planned for summer 2011.

“We now have two options with regard to the MUGA – either to attempt to find additional funding to put a MUGA on The Dimple site, or to investigate an alternative more suitable location within the Central Area for use by local people, possibly in partnership with other organisations that share similar aims.”

Members of the District Council’s Central Area Leisure Centre Sub-Committee will consider the options or to put forward others at a meeting on 28 January. The Matlock Area Recreation and Sports Group (MARS) has also been asked for its views.