Section 106 cash for new £14k slide in Oldham

Council bosses have agreed to spend the money – which was acquired through a ‘Section 106’ agreement – at Waterhead Park in Spring Hill.

The 106 agreements are part of the process of granting planning permission, which sees a builder pay towards infrastructure, environment and education in the local area.

Originally £13k came from a development at Ripponden Road, led by Alt Homes Ltd, towards the provision of public open space within the borough of Oldham.

That agreement was made back in 2010, but only now – nine years later – have the council decided how to spend the money.

With interest, the funding pot now stands at £14.1k.

In the decision notice, Carol Brown, director of environmental services at Oldham council, states that the proposal was put to councillors before being agreed.

“Ward members and the district executive have been fully consulted and have agreed that this funding should be used to install a new slide feature at the existing play area within Waterhead Park,” she states.

“The installation of the slide unit will improve the existing play provision, and its maintenance will be covered by the existing revenue budget for the play area.”

Works at the park, on Longfield Crescent, will be implemented by the council’s environmental services team.

The cost is being split across the initial purchase of the steel tunnel embankment slide, which is nearly £9k alone.

Installation, as well as landscaping at the park, and other associated costs such as design, development and engineers calculations increase the total package by around three thousand pounds.

A spokesman for Oldham council said: “The slide is a key feature of the park encouraging people to visit the space and have fun.

“We believe that due to the bespoke nature of this project fitting into the existing landscape great value has been achieved and it will continue to promote play and activity around the park for many years.”

 

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