Sara Armstrong, Green Councillor for East Cliff & Springbourne, has received a response from BCP Council’s strategic lead for Green Space & Conservation, in response to concerns she raised on behalf of residents about fenced-off play equipment in King’s Park.
King’s Park lies in the westernmost corner of Littledown & Iford ward, but bordering both East Cliff & Springbourne and Boscombe.
The full reply:
We are working with the suppliers of the play equipment to see if any short term remedies can be found to get some equipment back in to use. As you will be aware, with a spending freeze that includes basic maintenance of play areas, we are very limited in what we can currently do. Unfortunately, this means we are having to fence off play equipment.
We are writing a ‘Play Plan’, a strategy to support BCP Council’s 179 individual spaces with play facilities. Through the strategy, we will understand the needs and required investment of these spaces and be able to advocate for funding and start investing in these important spaces.
A masterplan for Kings Park has long been on the project list to support future design and infrastructure decisions. This is not currently being progressed and we have been expecting the football club to bring forward new stadium plans.”
Play Strategy aiming for December Cabinet meeting. Engagement being planned with Councillors before that.
I’ve contacted Neighbourhood Planning to ask if an extension to the neighbourhood plan area to include the western part of the park is even possible due to the added complexity of the ward boundaries and if so, would that support the direction of CIL monies in the short term?
I understand that applications will be made to the strategic CIL funds (bigger separate pot) to support the investment case of the Play plan strategy and will also rely on external or alternative funding too.
The consultation closes soon on October 7th.
https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ecs-forum-area
Would be great to hear your thoughts.