VIDEO: Green light for £500,000 Paignton geo play park
IT'S full steam ahead at last for a new £500,000 play park on Paignton Green.
Councillors have finally given their backing to the controversial plans.
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Paignton Green Play Park
Louise Gilson, vice chairman of the Paignton Town Community Partnership which is behind the project, said: "We are absolutely delighted."
She said paperwork was being finalised and equipment will be ordered within the next week. That will take about 14 weeks to arrive.
The first phase, to dig the site, would begin mid-September. Exact timings of the second phase of the development had yet to be decided.
She said the whole project should be completed by mid-December.
"Inspections will then take place and we hope to open to the public mid-January," Louise said.
While work continues, the building site will be ring-fenced with wooden panels, complete with 'portholes' to allow the public to view the ongoing construction of the play park.
Louise said: "We have distributed insect pictures to all primary schools across Paignton which will be coloured in, and the best ones will be enlarged to appear on the fencing."
The finer details of the geopark play park were approved by planning councillors.
The scheme was described by some councillors as 'inadequate' and the plans were sent back to the drawing board at a previous meeting.
Senior planning offers brought the revised scheme back before the development management committee.
The committee voted four in favour for the revised scheme with two against — a majority approval.
Among the changes are the removal of a spiral lookout mound which would have stood about seven metres high and revisions to the play park layout.
There are more slides and swings, and ladders have been added to a large climbing net.
Senior planning officer Peter Roberts likened parts of the scheme to The Den, Teignmouth.
Recommending approval, he said: "The path now cuts through the middle of the park and the park will not be fenced."
Louise Gilson addressed the committee. She said the park would draw around 330,000 people, and if each one of those people spent £5 it would bring an extra £1million to the town each year.
She said: "Parents have also been calling out for a destination park in Paignton for the past five years."
She said 1,787 residents had participated in consultations, with 88.9 per cent considering the plans to be 'excellent, good or okay'.
She said: "More than 250 children, young people, carers, parents and grandparents have been involved in the design though events, workshops, trips to other destination parks and briefings on the Torbay's geopark history.
"More than 300 residents have registered to help deliver the park and/or volunteer as play rangers, geopark guides or assist with landscaping maintenance."
She said a UNESCO recognised 'geopark' status would be a 'great achievement' for Paignton.
Alison Hernandez, councillor for Shiphay with The Willows, said it would not only be Paignton which would benefit.
She said: "I am speaking on behalf of families. This will be excellent for communities across the Bay."
Cllr Michael Hytch raised his concerns about the future of the area. He said: "It is a major development, changing the Green forever. I feel it paves the way for more permanent buildings."
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by Cherrypie1957
Sunday, November 06 2011, 5:14PM
“"I've just seen the site first hand now and what a desecration it is! I can't believe how big this monstrosity will be. Quite apart from the fact that we're losing a huge portion of our green, the positioning of it will probably mean that, with the prevailing sea winds, the whole thing will last only a couple of winters. And that doesn't even take into account other factors like vandalism, etc. What a waste of council tax payers' money."”
by misspiggy3011
Saturday, October 01 2011, 7:30PM
“i am disappointed that the plans do not appear to be inlcusive. how dda compliant are they? how many disbled children have they consulted? or disbaled parents that may want to take their children? i know i will not be able to visit and spend my money at the seafront as i have in the past, at various events held on the green, as i cannot take my whole family there. i could always leave my disabled son elsewhere whilst we all have fun but that seems unfair to me but that is what this park design seems to be saying "only able bodied normal people". (i would not ever do this it is an example of the stupidity of the designers and perhaps their thought process) Interesting when Torbay has such a high rate of children with statements of SEN and 2 special needs schools. it would seem that our sort are not welcome and our money is not as good as other people's!”
by Mosschops17
Wednesday, August 03 2011, 6:00PM
“The wrong end of the stick has been gotten. The park is being started in mid September and will be finished in time for Easter.”
by neeneeoil
Tuesday, August 02 2011, 5:11PM
“Bad timing to start work in the middle of the summer. I would have waited and had it ready for next Easter.”
by Larrythelover
Tuesday, August 02 2011, 3:44PM
“If our Councillors were not such a bunch of useless cretins and our Mayor actually endeavoured to show some strength of leadership, this might have been finished for the summer: when you actually want an outdoor play area.
Outdoor Swings and slides in December - BRILLIANT!”
by BillyBollocks
Monday, August 01 2011, 8:10PM
“Kids love these parks.
We will be making a special trip to vist this park when its finished.
Beats spending £75 at Crealy or That Farm place.”
by Ned_Fl4nders
Monday, August 01 2011, 5:28PM
“Uhm that is a very idylic photo, where on paignton green can you see rolling hills in the background?
There should be rows of delapidated pubs and boy racers along the sea front but im not seeing them.. Oh wait is that taken on the moors perhaps thats where its going to be built, paignton moors?”
by Janet_hl
Monday, August 01 2011, 3:28PM
“Someone should make stickers to put on it saying "Made in Torbay" Everything done in torbay is always over budget, never on time, a sham, met with opposition and poor quality.. Yup, Made in Torbay...”
by Barkles
Monday, August 01 2011, 2:01PM
“And the adults play area.........next Door....The Flagship......hic !”
by cherrie54
Saturday, July 30 2011, 6:04PM
“Put it this way Cweed it's more likely to keep those who are comming keep comming in theory. Thought the main aim was to give local kids a free facility too. No it's not impressive enough to make more people come. Yes it might discourage some tourist who come for the events (more than likely). Went to littlehampton the other week they have a very similer park on the green. Not a lot of kids in there though the majority were on the beach or in the funfair on their rides. So a lot to be said for big funfair rides on the green and this facility on the other side of the road. Depends if the council wants to encourage a rise in holiday makers or not don't it at the end of the day. I mean torbay has three distinct holiday maker markets. Torquay is more up market or rather could be with it's marina/harbour if it had more vibrant night life. Paignton is a family holiday or should be catering for all ages out to have some fun so amusments /family friendly activitys /events/ seaside shops/good beach fun. Goodrington is for the more active familys with a bit of old fashioned tradional rock pool beach /facilitys. Havn't mention preston sands as always find it more of an extension of either torquay sands or paignton sands depending which you are staying at. Did the council ask any holiday makers as well as what it seems the minority of locals about this park.”