Agenda item

Find out from Beth Cooper, Project Officer, about the Barfield Road and Monk Stray developments.

4.                  Beth Cooper attended to inform residents on the Playbuilder initiative planned for Monkton Road and Monk Stray. The following was noted.

4.1Beth’s role is the delivery and management of the initiative.

4.2This is a £235million investment from government.

4.3York is benefiting from £1.1million which is to used on 22 playgrounds.

4.4The goal is to provide a boost to children’s play.

4.5The Monkton Road area was highlighted as not having enough provision of play so it was chosen.

4.6The design brief was responded to by 20 companies.

4.7These were reduced to 3 plans by the CYC Leisure Dept.

4.8The three plans were then unveiled for public consultation, which took place at 68 centre.

4.9The responses from young people and other users of the centre selected the final idea for the play park.

4.10                     The ASB which has happened historically is known about and concerns have been raised in meeting with Police.

4.11                     It is hoped that the investment ion the area will reduce the problem of vandalism by giving young people something to do promoting a positive attitude in the area.

Residents were given the opportunity to raise questions and concerns about the Playbuilder initiative. The following were raised.

a)      The fire brigade  have been called twice because of people starting fires and trying to burn down the equipment already at the site, why won’t they do it again?      Unfortunately this is a sad fact of life, that a minority will spoil things for the majority. The materials chosen for the build have been selected to minimise the potential. Wood to be used is coated with fire retardant.

b)      There are on going issues in Doddy Park will the same sort of problems come to the play area?      Police are working to discourage the ASB in the area, alcohol confiscation and  deterrents are having an affect.

c)      How do you get 15,16 and 17 year olds out of the parks?      Unfortunately there isn’t a lot that can be done, although reports to the police will be responded to.

d)      Will there be a launch party when the play area is complete?      Yes the intention is to invite the young people and everyone involved to a launch, this will hopefully develop a sense of ownership for residents in the area.

e)      When will consultation for Monk Stray start?      It is planned for 23^rd March and participation is encouraged.

f)      Can’t security be used on site, this has been used previously and has proven successful?      Unfortunately the Playbuilder budget doesn’t allow for this to be funded. The Playbuilder sites have to be open access.

g)      I live close to the site and never received any consultation or notification, neither did the local residents associations, why?      Letters were sent to residents who over the play area. They are also advertised in the press and apologies if anyone was missed out. The initiative has also been run in a very short time so unfortunately it had to be done as well as possible under the circumstances.

h)      Planning has not been applied for, why?      Planning isn’t needed for the site as it doesn’t require a change of usage. Anything up to 4 metres doesn’t require planning, although a change to the design of one piece of equipment has been made to bring it under the restriction.