Councillors recently granted planning permission to demolish the old building, in Boythorpe Road, which closed when the new £11.25 million Queen’s Park Sports Centre opened in January.

A range of different possible future uses for the site have been considered and tested against four criteria. From these, the council’s preferred option is to have 3G all-weather multi-sport pitches on the site with a surface that can be used for football, hockey, rugby and athletics training and recreational use.

Chesterfield Borough Council is asking residents and businesses for their views on the preferred option – but also seeking alternative suggestions that meet the criteria the council is using to decide what the future use of the site should be.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The former sports centre sits next to the grade two star listed Queen’s Park so it is important that what goes there is in keeping with that heritage site and the strict planning rules that come with it.

“In an era of council budget cuts whatever goes on the site also needs to generate an income rather than cost tax payers more money.”

The borough currently has fewer 3G all-weather sports pitches than is recommended for a population of its size and the use would be in keeping with the sport and leisure heritage of the site.

Councillor Serjeant added: “While this is our preferred option at this stage no decisions have been taken. So as well as getting views on that option we also want to hear from anyone who has other great ideas and can show us how they would meet the criteria we are working to.”

The consultation runs from today (Monday 12 September) to Friday 21 October and can be found online, along with further information and a map of the site, at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/qpscsurvey

Paper copies are also available from the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Boythorpe Road; the Healthy Living Centre in Barlow Road, Staveley; and our customer service centre in New Square.

Drop-in consultation sessions will also be held on:

• Monday 26 September in Morrisons, Chatsworth Road from 10am to 7pm
• Thursday 6 October at Chesterfield Market Place from 10am to 3pm

There will also be a session held at Chesterfield College freshers’ fair to get the views of students.

All options have been tested against four principles that the site use should:

• Generate income and not cost council taxpayers any extra money
• Support Council Plan objectives to improve the quality of life for local people, support a thriving borough, and deliver value for money
• Complement Queen’s Park, with its grade two star heritage listing, and other facilities in the town centre and borough
• Be well-used throughout the year and provide added value for the community

The council has considered various options against these criteria and has provisionally ruled them out for the following reasons:

• Indoor leisure provision e.g. ice rink/roller skating/soft play – operators of these facilities usually want ‘shed’ buildings and they would not be appropriate from a planning perspective. The council also doesn’t believe these uses would be financially viable without the council subsidising running costs.
• Cultural use e.g. for exhibitions, artist studios, events – this use could complement the park but usually requires significant subsidies to operate.
• Outdoor leisure provision eg high ropes, climbing, water features – while this type of use would add to the facilities offered at Queen’s Park, it is not felt financially viable without the council subsidising running costs.
• To add an extension to the existing park – this would add to the cost of maintaining and improving the park and put pressure on already tight budgets.
• Shopping – given planning policies this is not felt a suitable location.
• Housing – while there is a need to increase town centre housing the council does not feel this is an appropriate use for the site.
• Car parking – as there are car parks either side of the site, and spare capacity in other car parks, there is not felt to be demand for more in this location.
• Restaurant/pub use – the council does not feel this use would complement the park and there are other locations that would be more appropriate
• Selling the land – the council would have would have far less control on ensuring the use is appropriate to the park’s heritage setting.

Although these options have been provisional ruled out the council is happy to hear alternative views from individuals, businesses or sports groups who can show how they would be viable.

A decision on a future use is expected to be made by early 2017, once the consultation responses have been analysed and considered.

Residents and visitors to Chesterfield can visit the town’s annual well dressing festival this September.

There will be two well dressings on display from Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 September.

The first well dressing, organised and constructed by Chesterfield Borough Council, will be on display at the town pump in the market place.

The theme is Beatrix Potter to mark the 150^th anniversary of the birth of the children’s author and will feature the popular characters Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Mrs Tittlemouse.

Donations at the town pump will go to the mayor’s chosen charities – the Macmillan Cancer Centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Accessible Derbyshire.

The second well dressing will be on display in the porch of St Mary and All Saints, the ‘Crooked Spire’ church.

The well dressing marks the 750^th anniversary of the Battle of Chesterfield and commemorates the occasion when the Earl of Derby, Robert de Ferrers, was found hiding behind the woolsacks in Chesterfield Parish Church and dragged to London to face King Henry III.

Donations left here will go towards the upkeep of the church.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy, said:-

“Well dressing is an old Derbyshire tradition and each year visitors come from far and wide to see the well dressings in Chesterfield.

“They can be sure of a warm welcome and the chance to admire the handiwork of all the volunteers who have taken the time to create the artistic displays.”

Visitors to Revolution House, in Old Whittington, can find out about the witch hunts of the 17^th century in a special event this September.

The event takes place at the popular Chesterfield Borough Council run attraction on Sunday 4 September from 11am to 4pm.

As well as learning about witch hunting, visitors can make a witch pot with a trained potter.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy, said:-

“People of all ages have heard about witchcraft because of the Harry Potter stories and films.

“This event at Revolution House will offer visitors of all ages the opportunity to find out about the real witch hunts that took place throughout England in the past.”

Revolution House is open each Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm until Sunday 25 September. Admission is free.

Visitors to Chesterfield’s museums can take part in fun-filled activities as part of two special events.

This Sunday, 21 August, sees an event take place at Revolution House in Old Whittington where youngsters can find out more about life during the First World War through drama, roleplay, authentic songs and historic artefacts.

The event, at the popular Chesterfield Borough Council run venue, will explore issues such as why the war started, what life was like in the trenches and the role of women during the war.

Revolution House is open each Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday Monday from 11am to 4pm until Sunday 25 September. Admission is free.

On Thursday 25 August, the animals will be taking over Chesterfield Museum on St Mary’s Gate.

To tie-in with the current exhibition, Chesterfield Menagerie, the museum will host a variety of animals from White Post Farm including: rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, chickens, ducklings, a snake, cockroaches and snails.

Visitors will be able to handle the animals and find out more about them.

Chesterfield Museum is open each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said:-

“The events we hold at our museums always prove popular.

“The First World War is such an important event in history and, at Revolution House this Sunday, children will learn not only about the War but how it affected the lives of everyone, whether fighting on the front line or living at home.

“Children of all ages enjoy animals and I’m sure the event at Chesterfield Museum on 25 August will prove extremely popular as visitors can handle the various animals and learn more about them.”