Skipping with joy as play scheme gets OK

PLANS to build nine new children’s play sites in Oldham are back on track after Government funding was confirmed.

Oldham Council’s ambitious Playbuilder programme saw the redevelopment and refurbishment of eleven sites across the borough in its first year.

But the second phase was placed on hold in July when the Department for Education (DfE) put Playbuilder plans under review nationally as part of an exercise to identify savings from its 2010-11 capital budget.

Council chiefs have now received official confirmation from Education Secretary Michael Gove that its allocation for that financial year will be £550,000.

That means work can now proceed at Alexandra Park, Werneth Park, Chadderton Hall Park, Higher Crompton Park, Princess Park, Lees Park, Crompton Street in Coldhurst, Pearly Bank and Oldham Edge.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for citizens and neighbourhoods, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive confirmation of our funding allocation and this really is excellent news for the borough.

“In the first year of this programme we transformed 11 sites which have already proved to be very popular — and this additional funding will now enable us to do so much more.

“We believe that all children deserve the chance to play in and explore their surroundings in a fun way without having to travel to the other sites, so this is a terrific boost for local children, young people and families.

“These nine projects will now all proceed according to the original schemes. There has been no scaling back on these and so we look forward to getting on-site at each play area in November and moving this important work forward as quickly as possible.”

All of the borough’s Playbuilder sites were chosen through the Play Partnership following extensive consultation with children, young people and families in autumn, 2008.

Feedback

The type of developments were then shaped by further feedback from local residents at consultation events during autumn, 2009, when more than 400 people had their say on their local play sites.

Each new area is designed to be unique for the community’s need, make use of natural elements such as trees, rocks and landscape, be inclusive for all local children including those with disabilities, allow children of different ages to play together, include areas of active and challenging play and provide a wide rage of play experiences that attracts both boys and girls.

The 11 sites already transformed include Dogford Park, Royton; Royton Park; Stoneleigh Park, Derker; Whitehall Lane, Moorside; Higher Memorial Park, Failsworth; George Street, Shaw; Dobcross Playing Fields; Foxdenton Park, Chadderton; Wildmoor Avenue, Holts; Copster Park; Swan Meadow; and Bullcote Park, Royton.