AGENDA ITEM 4

BOROUGH OF POOLE

OAKDALE, CANFORD HEATH & CREEKMOOR Area Committee

22nd JULY 2009

REPORT OF POOLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

ITEM FOR INFORMATION

WHITEHORSE DRIVE GRASSED AREA ENHANCEMENT

1  / Purpose of Report
1.1  / To inform Area Committee on the proposals to enhance the grassed play area at Whitehorse Drive and to request match funding from planning obligations funds for this project.
2 / Introduction
2.1 / Poole Housing Partnership have made a request for Ward-based Planning Obligations funding towards the cost of enhancing the existing small area of open space at Whitehorse Drive, to provide inclusive play equipment and extend the play value of the site.
2.2 / The scheme is consistent with the Borough of Poole Open Spaces Strategy policies PO 20 Use open space to promote community development, healthy living, social cohesion and inclusion, and PO 27 Encourage better use of open space by children and young people, and the joint Bournemouth and Poole Play Strategy.
3 / Information
3.1 / White Horse Drive is a cul-de-sac that includes a small ‘lens’ shaped area of open space around which is the access road and parking for the surrounding housing.
For many years it has been a poor quality, scruffy space with very limited value to residents, except for parking. In May 2008 Poole Housing Partnership and Police Officers from the Oakdale Safer Neighbourhood Team identified the need for improvements. At the same time it was recognised that this densely populated area offers very little in the way of open space or play facilities for local young people. Quite large numbers of them gather regularly on the grassed area, which was felt to be unsafe owing to the constant presence of traffic close by and cars using the grass for parking.
A full consultation has since been completed with all residents of Whitehorse Drive, SNT partner agencies and Ward Councillors, carried out through newsletters/flyers, resident meetings, questionnaires, letters, a public presentation and door-to-door surveys. Local children were taken to look at recently refurbished play areas in Poole in order to involve them in the consultation process.
More than 80% of residents are in favour of the proposals identified for enhancing the grassed area to include some form of play equipment along with fencing around the grass area.
In January 2009 Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) Re-investment Panel agreed to pay the £16,500 cost of fencing the area of grass to enclose it, making it safer for local children and preventing vehicles from parking on the grass. It was installed in April 2009 and has already made a remarkable difference to the look and feel of the area.
PHP Re-investment panel also approved £2,000 to modify the footpath and junction adjacent to the grassed area. This work was completed in April 2009 prior to the fencing being installed.
PHP Re-investment panel have also approved a further £16,500 toward the cost of providing fixed play equipment and appropriate play surfacing to further enhance the area for young people. That sum represents 50% of the £33,000 cost of the play area that has been designed by PHP together with local children. PHP are looking to Planning Obligations funding to provide the balance.
The range of equipment included suits a wide age group and a range of abilities, including those with physical disabilities.
PHP will cover the cost of the necessary daily and annual play area safety inspections, and of any maintenance and repairs of equipment, as provided for by Leisure Services.
4 / Conclusion
4.1 / This improvement project will provide new activities and challenges for children of all ages and abilities and will enhance the quality of life for all residents of Whitehorse Drive.
4.2 / Poole Housing Partnership wish to bid for a total of £16,500 from two sources:
  1. from the fund for Equipped Children’s Play (Oakdale Ward) which has a current balance of £9,631.
  1. the remaining £6,869 from the fund for Equipped Children’s Play Fund (Poole Town) which has been agreed in principal between Poole Town and Oakdale Ward Councillors.

4.3 / Feedback from this Area Committee meeting will be reported to the next Planning Obligations Sub Group.

Donna Saunders-Teague

Poole Housing Partnership Limited

Contact Officers:

Donna Saunders-Teague, Housing Officer, Poole Housing Partnership (01202) 264414

Michael Lydon, Estate Services Manager, Poole Housing Partnership

(01202) 264486

Richard Nicholson Technical and Development Team Leader (01202) 261347

Background Papers:

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