I am referring here to improvements in our village that should become evident in the near future.
The population of our village is likely to explode in the next few years, probably rising to 10,000 sooner than later. That's a lot of people for the facilities that we have.
But there are a few green shoots as far as facilities are concerned.
I was heavily involved almost a decade ago in obtaining planning permission for a new community pavilion on the Memorial Playing Field and I have mentioned this project previously. There was good news at the latest parish council meeting.
Putting together money from the S106 development fund, a grant from the Football Foundations, some fundraising and a loan means that the project to knock down the old building and replace it with a modern community facility could start as early as this summer.
Hethersett deserves this facility, Hethersett needs this facility and now it looks as if Hethersett will finally get this facility. So congratulations to the Memorial Playing Field Trustees and the parish council for pushing this through. It will make a tremendous difference to the village.
Then there's the matter of a village eyesore that was once the skateboard park. This will now be replaced by a community garden with planters, seats. Volunteers are needed to help set this up and once again fundraisers are being organised and grants will be applied for.
This is just two improvements tot he village. The biggest improvement is still in the balance though. I refer to a new medical centre/doctors' surgery. The money for this is available, the land is available but it needs the existing medical practice to sign up for it. The current practice has been under the cosh during lockdown with staff shortages etc. Hethersett when it becomes a village of almost 10,000 needs, deserves and demands good medical facilities. Let's hope that now two of the major hurdles have been overcome (finance and land) that this project can move forward over the coming months and (probably) years.