JANSMA PARK UPDATE

JANSMA PARK UPDATE

Jansma Park is a 10 acre piece of land next to the Parish Council burial ground in Church Lane. This piece of land was kindly left to Stanway Parish Council by the late Mrs Jansma, who sadly passed away in July 2022. In the lady's will it states:

"I give free the land down as Comb Field, to STANWAY PARISH COUNCIL (the "Parish Council") ON THE CONDITION that the Parish Council shall undertake to retain and maintain the Land as a public park or public open space to be known as Jansma Park for the use and enjoyment of the people of Stanway or as an extension to the adjoining Comb Meadow Burial Ground".

Since Stanway Parish Council were advised of this legacy, we have:

• Agreed to accept the piece of land
• Completed the transfer of land with the estate's solicitors
• Received and listened to a number of interested parties that have presented ideas for the land
• Formed a working party to progress the research and ideas for the land, but that has NO decision-making powers
• Released a survey to enable our residents to share thoughts on what they wish to see at Jansma Park
• Progressed the initial entrance planning design to see if there is a feasible public vehicle access that will meet planning conditions
• Gained information on what grants may be available for free trees, landscaping and other projects
• The working party has had its first look at the results of the survey and will share more details at our Annual Public Forum on 17 April 2025

Stanway Parish Council extends our thanks to the over 300 residents that took the time to complete our survey and confirm to all our community that NO DECISIONS have been made yet on what will be on Jansma Park. The final decision can only be made by the Councillors at a Full Council meeting which will be some time away as there are still more steps to complete before we will be in that position to decide, but we will keep you informed along that journey.

The final decision needs to:

1. Meet the conditions of Mrs Jansma's will, especially "as a public park or public open space"
2. Respect the neighbouring properties and burial ground
3. Comply with current planning restrictions and constraints
4. Keep the cost of the implementation and future maintenance to zero or minimal
5. Take into account the majority of the residents wishes, within the above constraints

The next stages currently are:

• Continue to review the results of the survey
• Invite those who showed initial interests on providing services/ideas to submit more detailed plans with costs and design
• Explore the planning restrictions, around suitable ideas
• The council to agree and approve the visual designs for public consultation
• Have a public consultation that gives residents a chance to see and vote on the visual designs with an idea on any project implementation and legacy costs
• The full council to take into account the resident's choices and make the final decision on what will be the design for Jansma Park

The council currently expects the Public Consultation on the designs to take place in September/October 2025.

Stanway Parish Council will continue to own and be custodians of Jasma Park.

This is an exciting venture for both the council and the residents. It is important to get this right and this will take time. If any of our residents wish to take a more active part in this project, there are currently vacancies on Stanway Parish Council and you are welcome to join us as a councillor. Applications can be made through our clerk at: clerk@stanway-pc.gov.uk.

Thank you all for your interest in this exciting project.

Cllr. Teresa Baines

Chair SPC

Stanway Parish Council

Victory Hall, Villa Road

Stanway, Essex CO3 0RH

Email: cllr.teresa.baines@stanway-pc.gov.uk

Tel: 07885541934

www.stanway-pc.gov.uk