Work to create a new play area in Sinclair Drive in Basingstoke will get underway early next year after the existing park was partially fenced off in 2020.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has unveiled the plans for the play space following consultation with residents in the area.
It is hoped the work to install the play area, which has been funded through the council’s play area replacement programme, will begin in January and should be completed by early spring.
Part of the play area at Sinclair Drive has been closed for several years for health and safety reasons after borough council officers found that the play area and public open space near the park were ‘sinking’.
The park closure was a setback for more than 500 families with children who live between the train track and Churchill Way.
The Spencer Park, adapted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, is the only play space in this area.
Residents first noticed the subsidence of a part of the park in 2020. Council officers then fenced off the play area and public open space to the immediate south of house numbers 102 to 138 in Sinclair Drive.
However, the temporary fences kept falling, making the site a health and safety concern to the public.
After extensive investigations by the borough council, major drainage remediation work has been carried out to repair the underground soakaways underneath the ground in the open space near the play area.
With this work now completed, a new play area will be installed for nearby residents to enjoy next year.
The new play space provides equipment for toddlers and juniors, with a number of inclusive elements to provide options for children with a range of abilities, interests and needs.
This play area is one of six that will be transformed in the next few months as part of the borough council’s play area refurbishment programme.
Just short of half a million pounds is being invested to replace the play areas at Sidlaw Close in Kempshott and Buckskin ward, Upper Sherborne Road in the Norden ward and Roseberry Close in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood.
The play areas at Abbey Road in Popley and Fennel Close in Chineham are also being refurbished through the programme.
The borough council is responsible for more than 150 play areas in the borough and the refurbishment of these six - assessed as being most in need of replacement - is part of the council’s commitment to ensure these free play spaces are inclusive, well maintained and are fun places for families.
Cabinet member for residents’ services and housing Cllr Laura James said: “I would like to thank residents in the Sinclair Drive area for their patience while we have carried out all of the necessary investigations and repair work to fix this incredibly complex issue.
“When I took over responsibility for play areas last year, resolving this long-running issue for the local residents was a top priority. There have been many hurdles to overcome but I am delighted the drainage work has now been completed and we can move towards installing a new play area on this open space for children to enjoy.
“We are continuing to invest in our play areas which we know are important to our residents. By spring next year, it is our aim that all six of our play areas that are most in need of refurbishment will have been replaced with exciting new and inclusive play equipment catering for children with a range of abilities, interests and needs.”
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