URL: https://democracy.dacorum.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2616

Decision Maker: Strategic Director - Neighbourhood Operations

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Reason: Prior to the creation of the Coronation Fields Masterplan, a consultation exercise was conducted and a specific question asked regarding the former tennis courts, which have been used as a car park for visitors to Coronation Fields and as an overflow for the adjacent GP surgery. There was overwhelming support for the area being formalised into a car park and for this reason it was incorporated into the masterplan and seen as a priority phase one project. Funding was approved as part of the Cabinet report on the 8 July 2025. Ringway Infrastructure Services Limited have provided the Council with a proposal and have availability to commence the works. A direct award can be made via their Highways Service Term Contract with Hertfordshire County Council. Background: Coronation Fields is within the Bennetts End area of Dacorum Borough but serves as the main open spaces also for Nash Mills and other surrounding neighbourhoods. Although never formally designated, the former tennis courts on the site have been used for parking for a significant period now, acting as an overflow from the adjacent surgery and Bennetts End Community Centre. Drainage on this area is poor and overtime the surface has broken up and now has significant potholes and drainage issues. A public consultation exercise was run from Friday 26 July to Wednesday 11 September 2024 using the Let’s Talk Dacorum platform. 1,078 local properties within a radius of Coronation Fields were letter dropped with a link to consultation. Posters were put up on-site and leaflets left in the Bennetts End Surgery and Bennetts End Community Centre. When the survey closed, 174 full responses had been received and a further 76 people responded to the quick poll and overall, there were 383 visits to the Let’s Talk Dacorum platform for this consultation. The high response rate demonstrates the value local people have for the site. Specific questions were asked in relation to the former tennis courts and disused changing room building. Of the responses received in relation to the former tennis courts, 92 were in favour of the area being resurfaced for parking, 9 were in favour of part of the area being used for parking and remainder for other uses, and 9 were against the area being used for parking. On the 8 July 2025, Cabinet approved the Coronation Fields Masterplan and funding for Phase One of the plan of which the works associated within this decision are part of.

Content:

Date of Decision: April 13, 2026