Cllr Mike Crowe has received confirmation that consultation with locals will take place regarding the proposed new playground in Renmore.
At Monday’s annual budget meeting Cllr Crowe raised the issue. “I did not want residents in Renmore to wake up one morning and for it to be half up,” he says.
“Therefore, I sought and received confirmation from the chief executive that any plans to build it would go on public display which would allow people to submit their thoughts on it. I am now happy that this will happen.
“It is very important that interested parties which would obviously include people living near and around the proposed site would have their concerns factored in. The site in question is on the opposite side of the road to the Kingfisher Health Club on Renmore Avenue.”
Cllr Crowe added that he had received a number of queries from people living in the area.
“I spoke with officials on a few occasions over the last couple of months and they were uncertain on how they would proceed with this project; in that they may not go to public consultation,” he says. “I am pleased that this position has now become clear and that the ultimate decision makers will be the councillors.
“This green area which during the summer had been transformed into a biodiversity haven is sacred in many people’s eyes. Careful consideration and thought needs to be given before this is altered forever. Furthermore, I certainly do not wish to see it turned in to a site that would draw anti-social behaviour on the locality. We are all aware of playgrounds for children and teens that do exactly that. This is certainly not wanted.”
“We have to tread cautiously, while a playground in this area would be welcomed by some and arguably needed, once you break ground, install and erect equipment, the green area that was, is no longer.”
The views of the local people are crucial according to Cllr Crowe. “I will be very interested, when the time comes to hear and read what the people living near this site and in the locality have to say,” he adds.
“I think we will need to take on board their views and I believe this will inform us councillors, greatly. That is why it was so important to get confirmation that the proposed project would go on public display because it is a statutory process and allows people to submit their thoughts.
He concluded: “The people living in Renmore deserve this.”
