Baydon Village News
Play Area Project
The Play Area Project meeting held by the Parish Council on Saturday morning 10th July was very poorly attended. However the handful of children and adults present were able to help the project move forward.
Mr Tony Prior, chairman of the Parish Council, introduced Ella Coghlan from the Play Builder Scheme, who explained that the scheme was set up by the previous government to develop new play spaces using imagination and a risk element. Wiltshire received £1.1 million to use for these schemes, said Ella, and there have been some anxious moments wondering what the new government would decide. However apart from de”ringfencing” the money, Wiltshire Council have agreed to honour the £15,000 promised to Baydon. There will be no extra money for the future.
Mr Prior explained that the process for the play area had been lengthy. He had been able to persuade Kennet District Council to release £5,000 (s106 monies from the Fiveways development) to the Parish Council in May. The Playbuilders money is intended for 8 – 13 year olds, so the Parish Council will be able to buy extra equipment for younger children thus making a play area for 3 – 13 year olds.
At the last Parish Assembly the villagers voted for the play area to be sited on the Parish Field. It was then discovered that the planning permission granted in 1998 had expired. The Planning Office requested a pre planning application, which was submitted in April 2010. Their reply was not received until July in spite of e-mails and phone calls.
As soon as a supplier is chosen full plans can then be submitted. The planning process takes around 8 weeks. Installation may have to be phased if more money needs to be found.
A Lottery Fund application will need full planning permission. When that is achieved, said Mr Prior, we shall apply for a grant from the Lottery. As the monies from the Playbuilder scheme must be spent before 1st April 2011, it is hoped by then the play area will be under construction.
Those present were then able to view the various displays from suppliers. With a great deal of input from the few children present in identifying preferred equipment. 3 suppliers will now be asked to submit quotes. The final decision will then rest with the Parish Council.
Thanks must go to Tony Prior who has worked tirelessly to keep this project afloat against all odds, not least, the apparent lack of interest from parents of children aged 3 – 13 years.
By Barbara Furber
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