Dinton Pastures vision to get foresight from businesses
The vision to upgrade one of the Wokingham Borough’s most treasured country parks is due to get a guiding light from businesses as the project takes a step closer to reality.
Wokingham Borough Council’s countryside service has launched the next stage of the plan to improve Dinton Pastures, by asking the private sector for general ideas on how to upgrade it in line with how residents, community groups and stakeholders have told the council they want the park to develop.
Businesses and private companies with specialist knowledge in improving parks and leisure facilities are, from this month, being asked to submit general ideas on how upgrades could be funded, built and managed on an on-going basis.
In March the council’s decision-making executive endorsed a preferred vision for Dinton Pastures, after a series of consultations with local people and the community. Out of three broad options, which were based on the public’s original ideas, the clear majority of people preferred option three – the concept of building a new centre at the heart of the park, on the existing café and office site.
The executive selected this as the preferred option and asked the countryside service to investigate ways to progress it over the next six months – although not excluding other potential ideas that may come to light along the way.
The countryside service is keen to receive as many outline suggestions as possible based on the preferred option, plus any other bright ideas that may further the vision.
The quest for ideas is not a formal tendering process - a formal tendering exercise and opportunity to submit a comprehensive bids may follow at a later date, but only once detailed plans have emerged.
Chris Buggy, countryside service manager, said: “We are committed to providing even better facilities at Dinton Pastures, which will make it a park to be proud of for the next 25 years or so. We want to secure the best possible amenities for all our park users and residents, which is why we have approached the private sector – as specialists that have a wealth of knowledge on providing good and quality leisure facilities.
“We’ve asked them to closely consider what residents and park users have told us they want to see at Dinton Pastures in the future and use the preferred option to influence their suggestions.”
Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for environment, added: “It will be interesting to see what the private sector comes up with and I look forward to viewing their concepts. This is a step forward for the project, which I welcome, but it is still in the very early stages with very basic and broad ideas being submitted for further consideration.
“Dinton Pastures is a great park, that is much loved, and the vision will eventually make it an even better place for residents and park lovers to be proud of and enjoy.”
Companies have until 5pm on Wednesday June 25 to submit their ideas.
Wokingham Borough Council’s countryside service has launched the next stage of the plan to improve Dinton Pastures, by asking the private sector for general ideas on how to upgrade it in line with how residents, community groups and stakeholders have told the council they want the park to develop.
Businesses and private companies with specialist knowledge in improving parks and leisure facilities are, from this month, being asked to submit general ideas on how upgrades could be funded, built and managed on an on-going basis.
In March the council’s decision-making executive endorsed a preferred vision for Dinton Pastures, after a series of consultations with local people and the community. Out of three broad options, which were based on the public’s original ideas, the clear majority of people preferred option three – the concept of building a new centre at the heart of the park, on the existing café and office site.
The executive selected this as the preferred option and asked the countryside service to investigate ways to progress it over the next six months – although not excluding other potential ideas that may come to light along the way.
The countryside service is keen to receive as many outline suggestions as possible based on the preferred option, plus any other bright ideas that may further the vision.
The quest for ideas is not a formal tendering process - a formal tendering exercise and opportunity to submit a comprehensive bids may follow at a later date, but only once detailed plans have emerged.
Chris Buggy, countryside service manager, said: “We are committed to providing even better facilities at Dinton Pastures, which will make it a park to be proud of for the next 25 years or so. We want to secure the best possible amenities for all our park users and residents, which is why we have approached the private sector – as specialists that have a wealth of knowledge on providing good and quality leisure facilities.
“We’ve asked them to closely consider what residents and park users have told us they want to see at Dinton Pastures in the future and use the preferred option to influence their suggestions.”
Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for environment, added: “It will be interesting to see what the private sector comes up with and I look forward to viewing their concepts. This is a step forward for the project, which I welcome, but it is still in the very early stages with very basic and broad ideas being submitted for further consideration.
“Dinton Pastures is a great park, that is much loved, and the vision will eventually make it an even better place for residents and park lovers to be proud of and enjoy.”
Companies have until 5pm on Wednesday June 25 to submit their ideas.
Wokingham Borough Council
