Residents in Abbots Langley can look forward to new leisure and recreation facilities over the next few years after the village secured funding from the Leavesden housing development last week.

At a Three Rivers leisure, wellbeing and health committee meeting on Wednesday, March 11 a decision was made that Abbots Langley, rather than Rickmansworth, would be allocated money from a Section 106 Agreement to go towards an Abbots Langley leisure project.

A Section 106 Agreement is a legal agreement between the Planning Authority and the applicant or developer where financial contribution is given to benefit the area where the development is concerned.

In this case, the money available came from the Leavesden housing development.

Abbots Langley Councillor Keith Williams, who is lead member for leisure, community and wellbeing in Three Rivers, said: "We are very pleased we have secured the Section 106 money from the new housing development, and that we can start developing a number of leisure facilities for the local residents of Abbots Langley to enjoy.

"Councillors fought hard for it to come to this part of the Three Rivers District.

"It’s something that Abbots Langley residents can look forward to, particularly as the area has taken a high proportion of new housing over the last couple of years."

Five projects have already been identified for the funds to go towards.

There are plans for the refurbishment of a skate park and multi-use games area in Manor House Grounds, plans for there to be an arts and culture centre, and plans to develop projects in Leavesden Country Park by creating a three-year full time park ranger post. At the moment there is only a part time role.

There are then plans to develop facilities at Leavesden Country Park by creating a heritage wildlife centre, performance space and adding interpretations boards, and plans to create a sculpture trail through the park, to celebrate the local history of Leavesden Asylum, Leavesden film studios and the De Havilland Mosquito and Halifax Bomber planes.

There are a number of partners who are key to maximising the funding opportunities and enhance the potential leisure provision on offer for local residents. These include Abbots Langley Parish Council, YMCA based in Leavesden Country Park, Watford Community Housing Trust and Warner Bros.

Members of the leisure committee are also currently waiting to hear details of their funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, before the wheels for the leisure project can be set in motion.

Lead member for health, and Abbots Langley councillor, Sara Bedford said: "There is still a way to go to decide how to spend the available funds.

"We need residents to get involved, so that the contribution to the local community is felt by as many people as possible."