Village play area set to be revamped thanks to council funds

Sarratt Parish Council’s £170,000 funding request to replace the existing play equipment at King George V Play Area, which it owns and manages, was recently approved by the district council’s Policy and Resources Committee.

The parish council seeks to replace the existing aging play equipment with more modern and safe equipment that children of all ages living in the village and beyond can enjoy and access easily.

Cllr Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, said: “Play areas really do contribute to the quality of life of our children and residents – and that is why the council has made a cast iron commitment to support and enable sustainable communities.

“We will always ensure that children and families across the district have easy access to a play area with high-quality and safe play equipment right on their front door.

“I am extremely pleased to see the committee approve the parish council’s request and I can’t wait to see the new play area in action.”

The £170,000 will come from the district council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) pot - a charge the council implements on new developments.

Sarah Dobson, Chair of Sarratt Parish Council, said: “We were very pleased to receive TRDC’s support to our CIL application for the creation of a new playground at the King George V Playing Fields in Sarratt.

“This funding will enable us to replace the current outdated play equipment, which regularly needs repairing and is only geared towards primary school children, with modern, safe equipment that will appeal to children of all ages from toddlers to teenagers.

“This is a hugely exciting project which will be a fantastic local resource for children and parents in Sarratt and to families from across the district who come to Sarratt to use the playing fields and enjoy the other facilities available in the village. Once completed we look forward to installing a plaque at the playground to recognise the contribution from TRDC that made this project possible.”

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Lead member for Infrastructure said, “I was pleased to back this bid to improve this outdated play area for future generations, and having secured monies from developments elsewhere in the district this puts this to good use.

“We have agreed to fast-track the release of the funds so Sarratt Parish Council can start work this summer rather than as is normal for releasing such large sums waiting until the October Full Council meeting.”

Sarratt Parish Council will also be putting forward £14,000 from its own CIL pot and has applied to an external organisation for additional grant funding.

PHOTO CAPTION: (From left) TRDC Deputy Council Leader Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Vice-Chair of Sarratt Parish Council, Cllr Angela Coakley, Stephen Bailey at King George V Playing Fields.