It gives everyone a chance to have fresh air, sunshine, peace, relaxation, community gardening and social interaction… a park for all ages and abilities.
It will also reduce Somerton’s carbon footprint and… give a home to threatened wildlife including garden birds, pollinating insects and native plants.
SO The Trust needs your help and support
The Community Trust was set up in October 2019 and the Trustees have worked on fundraising and have investigated all available options with the support and encouragement of the community to protect Kirkham Street Field as a green space for the people of Somerton.
Our aim was to raise the community price set by Somerset County Council of £750K by December 31st 2020.
Raising funds became difficult once lockdown started in late March 2020 and several events had to be cancelled. The Trust has so far raised just over £130,000 through direct donations and promises including £25,000 from STC and a grant of £12,500 awarded by SSDC.
Early in 2021 a third party contacted the Trust about a possible way forward. We are now pleased to have the opportunity to work with this non-profit making organisation who are keen to explore the best way forward to fulfill the community’s wishes and the Objective of the Trust by:-
The proposal, if acceptable to the community and of course SCC, will protect two thirds of the field as a community green space. The remaining third would be used as a sustainable community housing scheme.
After over three years, the Trustees are excited to have the possibility of a viable way forward.
A Public Meeting was held last year by Studio Shaw - the architect team of the Kindred Foundation, who are Anna and Sam’s team, to present different ways in which the Field could be developed as two thirds community green space with one third residential. The Presentation was visual so that the Public could see how the team’s ideas could work here on Kirkham Street Field. The Presentation met with a favourable reaction from the community members present, should these ideas meet with planning approval.
It was then decided to approach the planning authority with the support and expertise of a local professional planning consultant, to establish how these ideas could best be presented in ways likely to gain planning consent.
A more specific Public Consultation could then take place to ensure community involvement.
Anna and Sam are themselves bearing the full costs of their professional advisers and the costs of the public meetings to discuss their proposals. The Trust supports their exploration of these ideas and the trustees are in regular contact with Anna and Sam.
The local planning authority has now been approached through this planning consultant together with Anna and Sam’s team to present the scheme for the Field area as one third residential and two thirds community green space. This has begun as an ongoing process to gain planning consent for the best possible outcome for the scheme. In view of the current changes to the Unitary Authority this process has, of necessity, taken longer than usual.
Anna and Sam’s team together with the very experienced local Planning Consultant have had some initial engagement with the Council Planning Teams and are undertaking the assessment of planning requirements.
We are hoping to be able to report more progress by the end of the summer and thank you all for your patience and support.
Kirkham Street Field is a simple agricultural field which has served Somerton for at least a hundred years as a Fair Ground, Cricket Pitch and School playing field.
This diagram illustrates possible features that could be included in two thirds of the field.
The layouts are intended to reflect the suggestions from the Public Consultation by providing variety and to suit all ages, abilities and tastes. Garden designers and wildlife experts also contributed their ideas:-
Any queries, ideas or sketches can be directed to the Design Group of the Trustees of Kirkham Street Field Community Trust by email to info@kirkhamstreetfield.org.uk, or contact Judith Hurley - design group – 01458 273079
Kirkham Street Field Community Trust bank details are:
Account Name: Kirkham Street Field Community Trust
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Account Number: 20418119
Then please send your details to the Charity’s Treasurer by filling in Step 2 and Step 3 Gift Aid.
Make your cheque payable to Kirkham Street Field Community Trust and post to the Charity’s Treasurer, Gill Locke at 8 Glanvill Road, STREET, BA16 0TN.
Note The Trust would like to record your donation so please send your details in writing with your cheque OR electronically by filling in Step 2 and Step 3 Gift Aid.
Donations can be accepted as before by George James - please see details in his window at their West Street Office.
Please provide your name, address, email address with the method of donation in the boxes below so that we can record your donation.
(Alternatively written details as listed can be posted to the Charity’s Treasurer, Gill Locke at 8 Glanvill Road, STREET, BA16 0TN.)
Make Your Donation Worth More
Please print off and return by post
Gift Aid Form
Email info@kirkhamstreetfield.org.uk
Current Trustees
Judith Hurley Secretary 01458 273079
Gill Locke Treasurer 07592 083543
John Dippie 07532 247852
Mo Fletcher 07718 920198
Sue Standen
