The borough of Ham aspires to improve health, sport, and wellbeing facilities for young people.

To help deliver this in the Ham area, the Parks Team is consulting on a proposal to create a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at Beaufort Court to replace the informal ball game area.

In one simple structure you can give children the tools they need to play games like football, cricket, netball, handball, and basketball.

A proposed MUGA at Beaufort Court would have football and basketball facilities within it, with public feedback guiding which other sports will be included within the line markings. 

The proposed area, although located within a nature conservation site, is near residential housing and would provide benefits to young people and adults within the local community by offering a greater variety of sports than the current facility.

Another benefit of formalising the use of this space will mean a reduction in the size of the existing informal pitch area, allowing us to restore the remainder of the gravel area back to grassland and nature.

As part of the rewilding of the surrounding area, Richmond Council proposes planting a natural barrier of native tree species along the boundary to protect the existing badger sett, whilst increasing the existing foraging area for them.

As part of this project, Richmond Council would like to enhance biodiversity in the surrounding area as part of the potential project, some of the suggested enhancements would include:

• Loggeries.  
• Bee bank – dependant on soil conditions. This would be placed in a nearby location but not impacting the immediate area of the MUGA. 
• Tree planting – to provide shade and natural screen and sound barrier in the immediate area. 

Examples of native varieties that could be used for adding a protective border for the existing badger set include: 

• Hawthorn 
• Field Maple  
• Hornbeam  
• Hazel  
• Spindle  

The council has asked residents to share their views on creating the MUGA at Beaufort Court and will then consider all feedback when deciding on next steps.

Share your views here.

You can view potential designs for the MUGA here.

The consultation ends on Monday, 28 October.