A run-down play area in a Babergh village is set for a dramatic overhaul after a bid to secure £50k funding was successful.
Officers at Babergh District Council decided to apply for funding from Partners in Play Suffolk (PIPS) for the Poplar Road playground, in Great Cornard, near Sudbury. They felt it was in an area of play deprivation and the equipment outdated and under-used.
Babergh is one of the first councils in Suffolk to be awarded the Fairplay Playbuilder grant after Government funding of more than £1m was allocated to the county to be used to develop innovative, challenging play areas for children and young people. The funding will be used to create or refurbish 23 play areas across Suffolk by 2011.
As part of the consultation process, a play session was held in Great Cornard in September and residents and children were asked what they would like to see if the bid was successful.
And last week, Babergh was told by PIPS, which is awarding the money on behalf of Suffolk County Council, it had secured £50k.
The cash will be used to provide challenging play opportunities including den building, hiding and chasing in addition to innovative fixed-play equipment and an area with seating to encourage social interaction across the community.
Residents and children, with the full support of the North Cornard Regeneration Group, will continue to be involved in the process and the new play area should be up and running by spring 2009.
Kate Hazlewood, Babergh’s Playworker, said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding and are sure this much-needed cash injection will completely transform this play area.
“I was very fortunate as a child to grow up in an environment where we freely played outside, made dens and got grubby – I’m hoping we’re going to be able to bring more fun and play opportunities to the youngsters in Great Cornard with this money.”
And Cllr Rex Thake, Babergh’s Children and Young People Champion, added: “This is excellent news and the money will go a long way in helping to support priorities of a safer and healthier Babergh.
"Babergh firmly believes all children and young people have a right to play and that play is essential for a child's development and well-being.” ENDS
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