Play Area Project
This project is currently in its infancy, but the proposal is to provide a play area on the site of the old Putting Green at the Eastern end of the Village Green - please note that this section of the Green is NOT registered village Green - see the map of the proposed site below:
The Parish Council's Community Projects Committee have been tasked with this project, and it is being undertaken solely due to it being flagged up as a desirable project in the Parish Plan consultation exercise - further consultation took place with both local residents and school children in September 2007 to gauge initial reactions, which were mixed!
A total of 7 play equipment manufacturers were consulted during the Summer of 2007, with most of them meeting on site to discuss ideas and options. General proposals were sent back to the Parish Council, which the Community Projects Committee looked at in November 2007.
It was decided in November 2007 to consult further with the school children, specifically with a view to identifying a range of play equipment and then to firm up on quotes from, perhaps, 3 of those manufacturers who have been contacted already. A power-point presentation was put together for this purpose and both schools in the Parish as well as the Pre-School were consulted. Residents in the immediate vicinity have also been kept up to date with developments, most recently in January 2008.
At the May 2008 Community Projects Committee meeting it was reported that the school consultations proved very worthwhile, with the youngsters showing themselves not only enthusiastic but helpful! It seems a main central multi-activity item of equipment is favoured, surrounded by 2/3 "springer" type pieces and perhaps a step ladder slide for the very young together with a couple of seats. During June 2008 it is hoped to obtain firm quotes from manufacturers, and work will be starting soon on putting together the information for submitting a planning application. Once this is completed and the drawings of final options of possible schemes are to hand, an exhibition will be held for residents to come along and have a look and comment, before the planning application is made. In July 2008, the manufacturer Eibe was selected to work on the project - it is hoped to have a representative attend the next committee meeting to firm up on a scheme design, which as said above will be followed by an exhibition and applying for planning consent.
