Play area finally wins council vote (From Stroud News and Journal)

Play area finally wins council vote

THE LONG battle for a play area in Minchinhampton looks set to be won after the parish council voted to support the idea.

The council overrode historical objections and old guard opposition to back Hampton Waves Residents' Association plans for a multi-use games area on Summersfield Road. Delighted association co-chairman Janet Kirby said: "We can hardly believe it. It's been going on for such a long time. We are so thrilled."

The association already has planning permission for the play area and a pledge of £30,000 funding from Stroud District Council.

At Monday's meeting the parish council agreed to fund insurance and maintenance jointly with the association, completing the jigsaw.

Between 30 and 40 people, around a quarter youths, packed the Vestry Room to hear debate on the issue.

Cllr Eilish Cope said: "At the end of the day the young people need somewhere to play. We are short of play areas."

Councillors voted eight to two to support the idea despite opposition from veteran councillor Roy Nicholas and former chairman Cllr Peter Munday.

Cllr Munday argued the site was too small, too close to the homes of elderly residents and would be better sold for houses, and the money used for a more suitable site.

Describing the choice of site as one of "desperation", he said: "The proposal is being made by councillors who would find it extremely difficult to support if it was ten metres away from their windows."

Cllr Nicholas warned: "It's no good for anything. It's in the wrong place. It's going to be a source of trouble." But their objections were drowned out by support.

Cllr Jane Archer said: "The kids need places to go. We need to get anti-social behaviour down in this parish and here we have something that could address this." The council agreed to review the play area 12 months after completion.

Cllr Cope promised the process would be "fully inclusive". She said: "We're all trying to do the best for young people in the parish."