Further playground improvements planned across the city
Families are set to benefit from a wide range of playground improvements across the city, as councillors consider the next phase of an exciting refurbishment programme.
At a meeting of the City Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee, on 12 March, councillors will decide whether to allocate £1.6 million section 106 developer contributions to fund further playground improvements over the next three years.
Improvements and additions to playgrounds, from outdoor fitness and multi-use games (MUGA) areas to wheelchair accessible swings, are proposed as part of Phase 2 of the city-wide Playground Refurbishment Programme.
32 playgrounds improved
Committee chair, councillor Tim Rowkins, said: “We are delighted and extremely proud that Phase 1 of the programme has already seen 32 playground improvement projects completed, while a further 15 are currently underway.
“Working with communities, we have improved accessibility and created inclusive play and learning opportunities for children and young people of all ages and abilities.
“We know how much families value their local parks and playgrounds, and the benefits they bring to local communities, and we look forward to seeing many more successful projects completed in the coming months and years.”
Brighton & Hove City Council owns and maintains 55 playgrounds in the city, which are well-used by families and are important for childhood development and socialisation.
Phase 1
Phase 1 of the council’s Playground Refurbishment Programme, agreed in 2021 and due to complete this year, has seen more than £3.7 million Section 106 funding spent on improving facilities for children across the city, from Saltdean Oval and Rottingdean Recreation Ground, to Queens Park, Hollingdean Park, Carden Park and St Ann’s Well Gardens.
The next phase would see a further £1.6 million of Section 106 contributions spent on local playgrounds, outdoor play and fitness provision.
Phase 2
The proposed new Section 106 funded projects include:
- Hove Park Play Area (Phase 2): continuation of the playground refurbishment.
- Preston Park Outdoor Fitness Area: new outdoor fitness area.
- Preston Park Wheelchair Swing: fully inclusive wheelchair accessible swing.
- Queens Park Play Area (Phase 2): continuation of the playground refurbishment.
- Stanmer Park Accessible Play Area and Trail: creation of a fully accessible destination play space, with wheelchair accessible swing.
- Victoria Recreation Ground/Park: new outdoor fitness area.
- Wild Park: play provision for older children
Two Section 106 funded schemes will also benefit from additional funding:
- A proposed Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at Saltdean will be part-funded by community contributions including local charity PARC and the Local Action Team.
- An outdoor fitness area at Wish Park will be supported with a third-party grant.
Several other playground improvement schemes will be funded by the council’s housing and Cityparks departments.
Consulting residents
Proposals for Preston Park, Queens Park, Saltdean, Victoria Recreation Ground and Wish Park, have been shaped by residents who responded to consultations on the council’s website.
Consultations on proposals for Hove Park, Wild Park and Gatton Park are currently open and close on 27 March.
About section 106
Section 106 agreements are made to ensure that development in Brighton & Hove provides local improvements which will benefit both residents and the existing community.
The agreements, made between developers and the council’s planning service, are an undertaking to provide work, or financial contributions, to improve the facilities or the infrastructure in the area where the building is taking place.
The level of contributions is set to reflect the type and size of the new development and its impact on the local environment.
Decisions on how to spend Section 106 funding are made by council committees, and projects can range from transport improvements and travel initiatives to community and recreation facilities, education, health and affordable housing.