News Blow for play area adoption
It was feared this week that long-awaited plans for council adoption of the St George's Green play area in Goole could be thwarted following news that the play area may not be brought up to standard in time.
The residential development and its play area is currently owned by major housing developer Peter Ward Homes, but both are set to be adopted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) in October, if they are found to be up to standard by the Council.
But such plans were left hanging in the balance on Friday when a St George's Green resident was allegedly told by an ERYC official at the site that the play area would be 'rejected' for adoption in October.
The resident said: "They are recommending to Peter Ward Homes that the area be dug up and top-soil laid, the area levelled and re-grassed. This is possibly another year's work. They [the Council] cannot take on the area in the current state."
The resident added that a barrier for children's protection was needed at the rear of the play area, which backs onto Goole Hospital, because there is expected to be an increase of traffic there when the new health centre is built.
The latest potential blow will be a set-back for the estate's residents, who met with ERYC play and early years officer Bernie Clarke, and Town Mayor Jean Kitchen earlier this month to discuss plans for a community group once the play area is adopted.
Once set up, the community group would be expected to lease the play area from ERYC for a minimum of 20 years and would work to implement ideal play equipment. Currently, the play area consists of a basketball court that is unsuitable for younger children.
If the play area is not adopted next month, all hopes of the community forming a group to improve it will be quashed until the area is deemed up to standard.
The St George's Green resident added this week: "We are back in the hands of Peter Ward Homes. We cannot form a committee until Wards complete; a total impasse again."
A spokesperson from ERYC did not confirm or deny whether the play area would be fit for adoption by October.
The spokesperson said: "We inspected this area of land last week and found that, although some of the work we requested had been done, the area did not meet our adoptable standard.
"We have spoken to Peter Ward Homes about what now needs to be done and will work together to ensure an amenity area for residents is provided as soon as possible."
A spokesperson for Peter Ward Homes added: "In the case of the open space at St George's Green, it has been the responsibility of the company to prepare the site for adoption by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
"At a meeting in October, 2006 involving our construction director, the landscape contractor and the Council's representative, it was agreed that certain work should be carried out, including some further landscaping, replacing damaged trees, removing stones and top-dressing areas that had previously been repaired.
"That work was undertaken some months ago in accordance with the Council's requirements. However, although we have no formal notification, we understand some further work may be required before the Council will adopt the site.
"Peter Ward Homes has an excellent relationship with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, especially with regard to the development of public open spaces, and as usual we have done everything that has been asked of us."
Published on 27th September 2007 in News.
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