A project to create a new village green in the heart of Hatfield Broad Oak has been declared the winner of a £50,000 community challenge from Stansted Airport’s charity fund.
The Hatfield Broad Oak Village Green project, an ambitious scheme that plans to transform grazing land into sporting and recreational facilities in the centre of the village, has been awarded the one off donation from the Stansted Community Fund, part of the grant-making charity BAA Communities Trust.
Keith Artus, District Councillor for Broad Oak and the Hallingburys, said:
“The Parish Council's belief in its plan to turn 12.5 acres of land in the heart of the village into a country park has been rewarded with this wonderful offer of support from the Stansted Community Fund. Our scheme sits perfectly with the Fund’s aims in that we will be providing new recreational, sporting and wildlife facilities for the community with the benefit of environmental improvements.
”Last year, the Fund announced plans to donate £50,000 to a major community project linked to either education, the environment and employment which would bring a lasting benefit for many people. Panel members, comprising of representatives from the local community, reviewed 25 bids before deciding the Village Green project as their favourite following a vigorous judging process.
Chair of the Stansted Community Fund, Bob Wainwright, said the donation was a great showcase for all the good work being achieved across the local community, adding:
“We had a fantastic response to the community challenge and we’re delighted to be able to make this donation and support the Hatfield Broad Oak Village Green project. There is no doubt that the scheme will bring many benefits both to the local community and the environment for generations to come.
“So many worthy causes applied for this cash boost, which is why it was important that the Fund’s members carefully reviewed each project using their local knowledge and expertise to select the best possible recipient. It was important to us to see that there was good local support for the scheme – with many volunteers working hard to make the project happen. We will be following how the project develops with great interest.”
