Local park in line for upgrade
Dated play and recreational facilities at a neighbourhood park are in line for an upgrade.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has secured and received section 106 funding – totalling £492,500 – specifically for open space improvements at Bradwell Dingle as part of the planning permission process for a nearby residential development on land off Knype Way.
Bradwell Dingle currently contains a playground, a multi-use games area and space to play football. Many of these facilities were last updated more than a decade ago, with a skate park having to be removed in recent years for safety reasons.
A recent consultation with stakeholders shows that 97 per cent of consultees agree that the entire site should be upgraded, with 87 per cent supporting improvements to the existing facilities – including the playground, multi-use games area and kick-about section – as well as provision for skateboarding/wheeled sports, a community garden, CCTV, outdoor gym equipment and the creation of a second football area.
Subject to Cabinet approval next week, these preliminary discussions will be developed into more detailed plans for further consultation with residents, site visitors and potential users – specifically including younger people – before the delivery phase.
Cllr. David Hutchison, Cabinet member for sustainable environment, said: “It’s great news that the council has been able to secure a significant level of funding to improve the community and social infrastructure in Bradwell following the new development off Knype Way.
“We want our communities to be healthy, happy and active. The council provides an increasingly good suite of facilities so that residents of all ages can enjoy an active and fulfilling experience in the borough. The existing set-up at Bradwell Dingle is quite dated so this is an exciting opportunity to deliver modern facilities that better suit the needs of local residents, hopefully making a big difference to their lives.
“It’s a legal requirement of the section 106 agreement that the funds are used to improve Bradwell Dingle. Preparations are well underway: we’re looking forward to the possibility of working closely with residents of all ages to ensure that they have a say in the proposed facilities and providing a scheme that caters for as wide a range of their needs as possible.”
The same planning agreement requires the developer to pay a further sum of money, when the first home is occupied, towards the maintenance of the new facilities.