December 2025 – Press Release
Watlington Parish Council is set to boost the village community facilities with a modern pavilion on the Recreation Field
Preparation works commenced in July 2025, to comply with the Local Planning Authority conditions, and full construction will begin on Monday, 8th December 2025. Completion is scheduled to be September/October 2026.
The pavilion on the Recreation Field will include FA approved changing rooms, showers, toilets, storage areas and a small clubhouse with kitchen facilities. Solar panels will be installed as part of a Phase II scheme to deliver clean, renewable energy and provide significant savings on electricity bills and reduce environmental impact.
This new modern facility aims to promote health and wellbeing and offer a central hub for local sports teams and general community and social activities. It will support grassroots teams and principally benefit Watlington Football Club in their objectives to achieve higher and/or accredited league status and increase their number of teams for all genders, ages and abilities.
The total project cost, including professional and legal fees to date, is approximately £392,000. The solar panels (projected cost £25,000) are included in the overall scheme cost but grants for part-funding will be sought in 2026 to moderate burden on the ratepayers.
The project has been a collaborative effort between the Parish Council, Norfolk Football Foundation, Football Association and interactive involvement and participation with various local clubs and societies. This project could not have been realised without a combination of grants from various organisations (as detailed below). Huge thanks and appreciation are extended to:
| Norfolk Football Foundation | 149,974.00 |
| BCKL&WN Community Infrastructure Levy | 100,000.00 |
| Norfolk Community Foundation (West Norfolk Lives Fund) | 49,255.00 |
| Chatsworth Homes Limited | 10,000.00 |
| Watlington Football Club | 5,000.00 |
Support from local sponsors has also been confirmed to help during the first three years of operation.
The Clerk and Responsible Officer of Watlington Parish Council, Mrs Sara Porter, said:
“This project has taken four years of dedicated work, with many milestones and struggles along the way, but the Council never lost its vision for this new facility, and, by determination and commitment, has successfully achieved its ambition to proceed.”
The Chairman of Watlington Parish Council, Cllr Jean Golding, said:
“It is very rewarding to see that the building of our Pavilion is starting in earnest. It makes all the hard work, meetings, emails, and frustrations with various bodies worthwhile. Next year more fundraising will start to support this facility, for not only our football teams, but for other organisations to use as well. I look forward to its completion.”
The Chairman of Watlington Football Club, Mr Douglas Parker, said:
“Getting the go ahead for this project is massive for the Football Club; it has been a slog but like our teams, we never throw in the towel. This facility will assist in our goal to continue to compete as one of the top grassroots clubs in the local area. The club is looking forward to having quality facilities to match the quality we have on the pitch. We would like to thank Watlington Parish Council for their continued support during this process.”
22 pitches in West Norfolk and King’s Lynn (22.9%) are currently served by poor quality or no changing facilities. Watlington is now set to change these figures with the creation of a wonderful new addition to its grassroots facilities
Brief History of the Community Pavilion project (main project items only).
July 2021
CONCEPT
The Parish Council considered the possibility of constructing a community pavilion on the Recreation Field.
October 2021
RESOLUTION TO PROCEED WITH THE CONCEPT
Following ongoing discussions with the Watlington Football Club, the Parish Council formally resolved to proceed with the proposal.
November 2021
TENDERS AND CONTRACTS
An Expression of Interest to Tender for the WATLINGTON PAVILION BUILD PROJECT was advertised on Contracts Finder [The Financial Regulations require Councils to use the Contracts Finder website to advertise contract opportunities, set out the procedures to be followed in awarding new contracts and to publicise the award of new contracts which is valued at £25,000 or more (Watlington Parish Council Financial Regulations, Section 11 ‘Contracts’)].
Quotations for an architect were sought.
December 2021
STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS
The Parish Council published the project in the Lynn News [Public Sector bodies managing a project of this scale have a statutory obligation to do so].
Tenders were received from building contractors and individual meetings were held with them.
April 2022
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, ARCHITECT AND PLANNING AGENT CONTRACT
Mr John Stephenson C.Eng. SCET, a Downham Market based Structural Engineer, Architect and Planning Agent, was contracted to draft the drawings and planning application for submission to the BCKL&WN.
June 2022
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT CONTRACT
Mr Tim Wall, Tim Wall Leisure, a Management Consultant, was contracted to aid the Parish Council seek funding grants. Mr Wall has several years’ experience working in both the public and private sectors and previously aided the Parish Council in getting large grants for the existing Multi Use Games Area.
A Facebook consultation post produced over 100 comments and emails from residents in support of the project.
Articles were released in the Lynn News and Eastern Daily Press advertising the show of support in the village of Watlington.
Click to access Sports-Pavilion-Press-Article-Lynn-News-June-2022.pdf
Click to access Sports-Pavilion-Press-Article-EDP-June-2022.pdf
July 2022
PLANNING PERMISSION RECEIVED
The BCKL&WN issued the Grant of Planning Permission (dated 28th July 2022). In addition to this, the BCKL&WN advised that the current portacabin owned by Watlington Football Club, standing adjacent to the Village Hall, was in breach and had not received planning consent for it to be there. However, the BCKL&WN kindly agreed to allow the portacabin to stay in situ until the community pavilion had been built.
January 2023
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY CONTRACT
Mr Robert Murfitt, Robert Murfitt Carpentry & Joinery Building & Renovation, a Watlington based company, was awarded the construction contract.
June 2023
OFFICIAL LETTERS OF SUPPORT
Letters of support were received from Elizabeth Truss MP, County Cllr Long, Borough Cllr Bhondi, the Football Association and the Watlington Football Club.
June 2023 – June 2025
FUNDING
Funding streams were sought and several applications were granted (see Press Release above)
July 2025
MINOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS COMMENCED
In accordance with the planning conditions, a construction fence was erected around the perimeter of the development by the contractor on 15th July 2025 and a small trench for underground services was excavated. The fencing shall now remain in place throughout the entire duration of the construction activity.
December 2025
FULL CONSTRUCTION WORKS LAUNCHED
Full building construction commenced 10th December 2025.
End 2026
COMPLETION
Works are projected to continue until October/November 2026 when it is anticipated that the build will be complete.
APPRECIATION
Mr Stephenson, Mr Wall and Mr Murfitt have played a vital role, and worked tirelessly with the Parish Council, in preparation of the grants and contract finally being achieved. Huge appreciation is extended to them.
Representatives of the Watlington Football Club and Norfolk Football Association are also duly acknowledged for their attendance of frequent meetings held and continual communications. The Council is sincerely gratified.
Progress of Construction Works
Construction Status Reports
Click to access 01-Project-Status-Report-28.12.2025.pdf
Click to access 02-Project-Status-Report-20.01.2026.pdf
Click to access 03-Project-Status-Report-04.02.2026.pdf
Click to access 04-Project-Status-Report-17.02.2026.pdf
Click to access 05-Project-Status-Report-13.03.2026.pdf
Click to access 06-Project-Status-Report-17.03.2026.pdf
Click to access 07-Project-Status-Report-31.03.2026.pdf
Click to access 08-Project-Status-Report-14.04.2026.pdf
Click to access 09-Project-Status-Report-28.04.2026.pdf
Click to access 10-Project-Status-Report-12.05.2026.pdf
Click to access 11-Project-Status-Report-26.05.2026.pdf
Click to access 12-Project-Status-Report-09.06.2026.pdf