Basingstoke play areas set for major refurbishment

Five more play areas are to undergo a major makeover as part of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s commitment to ensure play areas are inclusive, well maintained and fun places for families.

The council will invest £480,000 through its play area refurbishment programme 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.

Local people were asked to give their views on the type of play equipment they would like to see at each area through an online survey. The feedback will now be used to help shape the design of the play areas. The consultation on these five play areas follows hot on the heels of the completion of the refurbishment of Hatch Warren Park and Mathias Walk in Brighton Hill, Moorhams Avenue in Hatch Warren and Oakfields Close in Ecchinswell.

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: “Providing our childrenwith free access to inclusive play equipment is so important for families’ physical and mental wellbeing. We have over 150 play areas across the borough and we are investing more to manage these places for play to meet the needs and aspirations of our residents.”