Plans for a long-awaited pumptrack in Kempsey appear to have strong backing following a public consultation on Saturday 7 March at Kempsey Community Centre, where councillors displayed four potential design options for the facility.
However, conflicting information emerging after the meeting has raised concerns that the project could face yet another delay, despite funding now being available and the community pushing for the facility for several years.
Public Presentation Shows Progress
Residents attending the presentation were shown several potential layouts for the pumptrack, which is intended to provide a safe riding facility for BMX bikes, scooters and skateboards.
The meeting followed years of discussions and proposals around youth recreation in Kempsey, originally centred on plans for both a skatepark and pumptrack.
Over time, however, the project has evolved, and the pumptrack now appears to be the remaining element intended for older children and teenagers in the parish.
For many families in the village, the facility represents one of the few dedicated outdoor activity spaces for young people.
£80,000 Grant Available – But With a Deadline
A major development for the project is the agreement of £80,000 in grant funding from Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC).
However, the funding comes with strict conditions.
Kempsey Parish Council must:
- Have a contract in place
- Begin construction before 31 May 2026
If these conditions are not met, the funding could potentially be lost.
Once construction begins, the pumptrack itself is believed to take around eight weeks to complete.
Conflicting Information About Construction Timeline
Despite the positive tone of Saturday’s presentation, some residents say they have heard different messages from councillors about how the project may proceed.
One version suggests that construction could start in order to secure the grant, but then pause for several months while the proposed community centre and football changing facilities project progresses.
According to comments circulating locally, this pause could be as long as nine months before work resumes to finish the track.
However, another councillor is said to have indicated that a break in construction would not be allowed under the terms of the funding agreement, meaning the pumptrack would need to be completed without interruption once started.
The situation has left residents uncertain about what the actual plan is for delivering the facility.
Wider Community Centre Project
The pumptrack sits alongside plans for a new community sports facility, which includes:
- Two football changing rooms
- Facilities linked to the village football pitches
- Associated access and infrastructure improvements
However, the wider development still faces planning considerations, and residents have also heard that highways concerns about site access may need to be resolved.
As with any planning application, submission does not guarantee approval, meaning the timeline for the community centre project remains uncertain.
Completion Deadline of April 2027
Information circulating locally suggests that the pumptrack must ultimately be completed by April 2027, regardless of whether the community centre or changing rooms are operational by that point.
If correct, this would create a clear final deadline for delivering the project.
A Project Years in the Making
The pumptrack proposal follows a long and often frustrating journey for Kempsey residents.
Over the years the project has included:
- Early proposals for a combined skatepark and pumptrack
- Community consultation and design discussions
- Funding discussions and revisions to the project scope
- Changes that ultimately left the pumptrack as the primary facility
Local volunteers and campaigners have spent years advocating for better facilities for young people, arguing that Kempsey lacks dedicated recreation spaces for older children and teenagers.
Community Determined to See It Built
Despite ongoing uncertainty, many residents remain determined that the project should go ahead.
Several people involved in supporting the plans say the pumptrack would provide:
- A safe, purpose-built place for riding
- A positive activity for young people
- A facility that many neighbouring villages already provide
After years of delays, supporters say they simply want to see construction finally begin and the facility delivered for the community.
Awaiting Clarification from the Parish Council
Given the different accounts circulating locally, residents are now hoping for clear confirmation from Kempsey Parish Council on the expected timeline.
Key questions include:
- Will the pumptrack be built independently of the community centre project?
- Could construction pause part-way through?
- Is the council confident the 31 May 2026 funding deadline will be met?
Until those questions are answered, many in the village will be watching closely to see whether the pumptrack project finally moves forward – or faces further delays.