New PavilionFrequently asked questions

The question has been asked — and answered — by the village itself over many years. A 2013 questionnaire to club and social members led the committee to conclude a rebuild was the right course, endorsed at the 2014 AGM. The village's own Neighbourhood Plan, approved by 83.2% of voters at the 2016 referendum, identified refurbishment or rebuilding of the 1973 pavilion as a necessity. The need is also recognised beyond the village: Chichester District Council's Infrastructure Business Plan 2025–2030 lists the improvement or rebuild of the pavilion (IBP/322) as a 'Policy High' priority for the north of the district, recording the existing building as 'inadequate – needs updating' following the Chichester Playing Pitch Strategy 2018. After a long design process with the Parish Council and Chichester District Council, planning permission for a replacement was granted in April 2025.

A fresh construction cost exercise is under way and its figures will be published when complete. The earlier working estimate was £1.3–1.5m.

The charity already maintains the Pavilion at its own cost: the licensed bar is the main source of income, and all profit goes towards the building's upkeep. Detailed running-cost information for the new building will be published as the project progresses.

From several sources. The charity's own reserves: the designated New Pavilion fund (£32,800 in the FY2024 accounts) and the restricted Pat Creighton Smith bequest (around £72,000 including interest), held for pavilion maintenance, development or renewal. A significant sum from developer contributions — S106 and Community Infrastructure Levy money arising from development in the parish — to which the Parish Council has already committed funds. Grant funding, for which a professional grant adviser has been engaged. Private donations, several of which are already in discussion. And potentially Chichester District Council itself, which in May 2026 approved almost £1m to replace the White Pavilion in Priory Park — a comparable cricket pavilion rebuilt to England and Wales Cricket Board guidance. Village fundraising such as RunWisborough continues alongside all of it. See the Funding page for detail.

Its use is fixed by planning condition 16: a sports pavilion community facility, and no other purpose. It is further determined by the lease from the Parish Council, which ties the building to supporting sport and recreation on the Green. The Green is also a Registered Village Green, and counsel's opinion obtained by the Parish Council in 2026 confirmed a larger building is permissible where it is for the better enjoyment of the Green. In short: the new building serves sport and the community on the Green, as the current pavilion does.

Yes — on eight documented occasions between 2011 and 2022. The Neighbourhood Plan process identified the pavilion's refurbishment or rebuilding as a necessity and was approved by 83.2% of voters at the 2016 referendum. A public consultation in February 2017 drew 127 people, with 66 of the 67 who commented on the pavilion supportive. The revised design was exhibited over two days in September 2019, drawing 96 responses with 'about right' the dominant answer on every key question. A further open morning accompanied the statutory consultation on the planning application in late 2021, and the village has been kept informed throughout via Ad Vincula and the Parish Council newsletter. A joint communication to residents and an information event, with the building's footprint marked out on the Green, is planned for September 2026.