FUNDING has been granted for potential improvements at Mill Chase Recreation Ground and Pavilion in Bordon.

Whitehill Town Council’s application for Section 106 developer contributions was approved by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), awarding a total of up to £25,008.

The money will be used for feasibility studies at the site, to review drainage work undertaken and consider the most appropriate short and long-term drainage work moving forward. This is to enable sports and matches to continue during the winter months.

Studies will also look into potential improvements at the pavilion, to include a ‘Changing Places’ toilet, widening accessibility for sport.

A regular user of the facilities is Wey Valley Football Club, which had to cancel its Wey Valley ‘Mini Kickers’ session last Saturday because of water on the recreation ground, according to its Facebook page.

Under-nines manager at Wey Valley Youth David Macgregor said: “As a local club we are happy for any improvements to the recreation ground and pavilion be undertaken, so the facilities can be enjoyed by the whole community, not just Wey Valley Football Club.

“We feel this is a move in a positive direction and can’t wait for further news.”

But Liz Manship, locum responsible financial officer and manager at the town council, confirmed there were “no plans at this stage” and said: “Further to the feasibility studies, we will continue to work with Wey Valley Football Club and EHDC to take this project forward.”

Leader of the town council, Councillor Andy Tree, added: “There is a lot of local concern about the building of houses and loss of green spaces.

“The town council is very pleased to be able to confirm developers’ contributions will be used to improve facilities at the Mill Chase Recreation Ground that we own, for the benefit of local residents.”

n Further delays to the opening of Cafe Hogmoor were announced this week, blaming the discovery of the unexploded Second World War German bomb at Hogmoor Inclosure, as previously reported in the Herald.

In a statement in the Whitehill & Bordon Community Newsletter, Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust confirmed: “Due to the recent incident near the Hogmoor buildings, there has been a further delay to opening the long awaited Cafe Hogmoor, toilets and Beehive activity room.

“Our contractors are working hard to deliver this ready for us to open.”