Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To advise the Executive of community aspirations for the improvement of play facilities in Whitton’s Park and to seek authority to invest Section 106 funds in Whitton’s Park in order to improve the play opportunities.

Decision

1.    That the aspirations for play from Long Leys Residents Association (LLRA) be noted by Executive.

2.    That a spend of £152,413 on play investment in Whitton’s Park on a phased basis be approved by Executive.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

Whitton’s Park was a key play site situated on Long Leys Road in Carholme ward. The park had seen significant investment in play equipment in 2007/08.

The council held a Section 106 developer contribution for play of £152,413 that could only be spent in the West End of Lincoln. This contribution must be spent by 29 November 2023 or would have to be returned to the respective developer. After extensive consideration of sites in the area, the only viable option was to enhance play opportunities in Whitton’s Park with these funds.

Community representatives from both Long Leys Residents Association (LLRA) and West End Residents Association (WERA) had been consulted on this investment and were supportive. Local residents had also been consulted by LLRA and an aspirational plan for play investment in the park had been produced. They wished to be involved with any investment plan and had offered to engage with the council in this regard.

This investment would see play opportunities in the park greatly enhanced. It was anticipated that it would be prudent to spend roughly £130,000 at this point in time and reserve some of the fund for investment later, but before the critical date.