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REPORT FOR DECISION

Agenda item no:

Heywood Township Committee

7th September 2009

Report of the Head of: Learners and Young People

PLAY PATHFINDER PROJECT

Wards affected: All Heywood Wards Report Author: Sue Birtles

Telephone: (01706) 747202 This report outlines the options for the development of three play sites within Heywood Township

1. It is recommended that:

Members are asked to approve the development of a play area on Cherwell Avenue ( adjacent to the existing bonfire site)

Members are asked to approve the development of two additional play sites.

2. Reasons for recommendation:

The Department of Children, Schools and Families have provided substantial funding to develop play sites across the borough. These sites are specifically aimed at the 8 13 age group.

Extensive consultation has been undertaken within Heywood Township in an attempt to identify appropriate sites. Officers are now at the stage where decisions are needed if we are to complete the sites by 31st March 2009. Failure to do so would result in the DCSF requiring funding to be returned.

3. Alternatives considered:

3.1 The proposals in this report reflect a wide consideration of potential sites as detailed in previous reports to Township.

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4. Consultation undertaken/proposed:

All Heywood sites (identified by members at the Visioning and Commissioning Sub Committee) have been part of household consultation.

The full details of these consultations was presented to Township at the July meeting

5. Main text of report:

5.1 To date one site has been approved by members. This is the Bullough Moor site and work will commence on this site during September 2009. As a result of the report presented to Township in July further consultation was undertaken at the following locations

Egerton Street The original consultation was undertaken with the wider neighbourhood and demonstrated a slightly higher vote in favour, Additional consultation was undertaken (using the DOORSTEP vehicle) with the immediate residents. This consultation highlighted the fears and concerns of the immediate residents (the majority of which were elderly) and the allotment holders. The concerns raised were around anti social behaviour and youth nuisance (all of which happens now and there was major concerns that this would increase). Closer investigation of the area also shows that the space to develop is very small (if it is to be kept away from houses) and does not lend itself to robust equipment. It should be noted that 90% of the immediate residents were elderly and no families with children are evident in that location. The collective consultation shown 50 oppositions and 14 supporting (these 14 were all from the wider neighbourhood) Cherwell Avenue Officers were asked to consult with residents living in proximity to a site on Cherwell Avenue (opposite Eden and Conway Close). Whilst the site is a large one and would be suitable from a play development prospective, it should be noted that 62 residents took part in the consultation with 57 opposing. Coomassie Street Consultation was carried out in two ways, one postal (to include wider community) and one on site (for immediate

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residents). The overall vote was that 26 opposed and 7 supported. Apologies should be given to members as on closer inspection this area of land is far too small to develop. Cherwell Avenue The area around the traditional bonfire site was also consulted on in two ways postal and site visit. The total number of participants totalled 41 with 27 households supporting the play area. A separate poll was undertaken by an elderly resident who submitted a petition of 32 names who objected to this proposal. It should be noted that the majority were residents living in Cherwell Court. The location of the play area is proposed on the land away from Cherwell Court and shouldnt have any negative impact on the residents. Officers would recommend that this site is developed. 5.2 To date Officers have looked at a range of options within Heywood Township and

are now finding it difficult to identify further sites. A meeting was held with the Township manager and two further sites have been identified Plumb Mill and Wilton Grove (not railway location). Plumb Mill lends itself to this project being a large open piece of land. Whilst

there is residency for elderly people in the vicinity there is excellent secure fencing in situ and sufficient land for the play area to be developed away from residents.

The Wilton Grove site is a site that has previously had play equipment on.

6. Personnel Implications:

6.1 There are no personnel implications

7. Financial Implications:

7.1 The cost of the identified sites will be met from the Play Pathfinder allocation. The failure to identify the four sites could result in either a loss of funding or alternative sites being identified elsewhere in the borough.

8. Conclusions:

8.1 Members are asked to approve the development of the site at Cherwell Avenue.

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8.2 The decision on the final two play sites is delegated to the Head of Services for Learners and Young People and the Chair of Heywood Township, following the completion of the consultations at Plumb Mill and Wilton Grove (2).

Ann Tipton Head of Learners and Young People

For further information and background papers: For further information about this report or access to any background papers please contact Sue Birtles Tel: 01706 747202