Plans to improve Whitchurch play area revealed

Whitchurch Town Council said it is looking into a scheme to improve the Jubilee Park play area.

It is launching a consultation with the public on what equipment they would like to see in the new-look play area.

Zoe Dean, town centre manager and assistant town clerk, said: "From August 7 to 11 Whitchurch Town Council is running a consultation in order to ascertain the views of local families regarding a planned extension for which is the heart of Whitchurch town centre.

"The planned is an initiative which stems from Whitchurch Town Council’s parks and public realm committee.

"In order to ensure that we provide children and families with the play equipment they would like to see in the park we are hosting a week of voting so the public can share their views with us.

"It will be a really quick process of just popping into the civic centre on the dates and placing stickers next to the equipment they like best.

"The play equipment will be predominantly aimed at children of 12 years and younger as this has been identified as the age range that require more facilities on the park."

Details of how much the town council is looking to invest in the play area have not yet been revealed.

"That information has not been released as we are still in the tendering process. However, the project will be funded by Section 106 money," Ms Dean added.

Whitchurch Town Council is also running a free Lego building workshop during the consultation week to encourage more children and families to take part in the voting process.

The council said as this is a free event places are limited so booking is essential.

Telephone the civic centre’s community hub on 01948 665761 in order to book a child’s place. The event is aimed at youngsters aged from five to 11.

Earlier this year it was also revealed Whitchurch could soon see its own skate park built in the town after 10 years of campaigning.

The plans for the site to be built in Jubilee Park had hit a number of hurdles in securing the cash needed.

However, it was revealed funding has now come in for the park, which will cost about £70,000. There are hopes the site will be started in summer and take about six to eight weeks to build.