Mendip’s revised Play Strategy was approved at Cabinet in August 2013. This aims to target available funding towards the district’s most popular playgrounds, by identifying ‘low-use’ playgrounds where equipment can be removed and which can be redesigned as open spaces. Mendip agreed to work with local community groups, town council, ward councillors and nearby residents before any play equipment is removed and to offer advice and support to people who want to maintain the playground or consider a different use for the area.

The small play areas at Acacia Drive and Cheddar Close are on the ‘low use’ list, and the Play Strategy also calls for the Chapmans Close play area/court to be redesigned.  So I would be involved in consulting residents when Mendip takes any proposals forward to change these areas in future. If anyone has any concerns about this, or ideas for other uses of these or other open spaces here, and please let me know via cllr.boyden@mendip.gov.uk.

Please see reports to Cabinet under item 7 here: http://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/2710/Monday-12-August-2013), and Mendip’s news here: http://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/3087/Improvements-planned-for-Mendips-most-popular-play-areas

Also, the Play Strategy proposes that Mendip takes the initiative on ‘play streets’ and “approaches Somerset County Council to explore the possibility of temporary street closures to allow children to play safely, close to home, in areas where there is no space for a play facility. Where this initiative has been trialled in other areas, most roads have opted for a once a month closure. It is hoped that the initiative will encourage children to play out in the street and increase their physical activity levels, while encouraging neighbours to meet up more regularly”. If you want to put your street forward as a ‘play street’, please let me know.