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13th November 2006

Stonehaven Conservative Survey Results

Stonehaven Conservatives have been running their survey on field based sports facilities for the last month to every household in the town, and have now collated the results.

They also included the subject of development at Ury Estate and planning gain.

Alan Venters commented that the team were “thrilled with  the response to the survey from people of all ages and political persuasion,  and it has  given a  very clear indication as to what towns people think”.

75% of all respondents have indicated that Stonehaven Sports facilities are below standard and they are similarly minded that future planning gain money from development in the Stonehaven area should be used to upgrade sport provision in the town.

The top priority facilities they identified, along with a rugby & football pitches, were:-  squash courts, games hall suitable for badminton and tennis, gym, all weather pitch, athletics track  and changing rooms. The two surprise items identified were another swimming pool as the existing pools are booked up and access for the public is either non existent or limited, and a demand for a 10 pin bowling alley!

The Conservatives feel however that the 10 pin bowling idea is one the Recreation Ground Trustees may consider for inclusion in their future plans as such a facility would compliment existing provision for sport at the beach .

65% think that our field sports should be situated across the by-pass road and think similarly that any new sports facility for servicing these sports should be located there too. Many suggested that the facilities could be used for other community organisations in the town who are struggling for space.

The Conservative team also thought it was important for residents to be given a direct opportunity to express their views as to what should happen to Ury mansion house,  and to proposals for 138 houses to be built on the estate.

60% of  those surveyed said they favoured Ury mansion house converted into a golf clubhouse and hotel complex. 21% preferred to leave it as it is, and 15% were happy for it to be converted into private flats.

On Ury housing, 59% thought that if Stonehaven has to take more housing in the future, then they agreed that Ury should be considered. 41% were opposed to Ury for housing.

George Carr and Alan Venters,  who have been leading the campaign for a new sports facility to primarily service field based sports in the town,  have pledged that the Conservatives will carry on with the campaign.

“Now Stonehaven residents have responded clearly as to what they think should happen, it is up to us to keep going until a solution is found. The next phase of our campaign will be to sit down with representatives of the sporting fraternity and get agreement on the best way forward”