Agenda item

The Chair agreed that an additional item of business could be considered to discuss play space provision in Aylestone, and Adrian Edge, the Play Development Officer in Leicester City Council was introduced to the meeting.

Adrian explained that he was responsible for the development of new play space and improvements to existing play spaces, and he made the following points:

·        Aylestone did not fare particularly well for play space and there was a problem in trying to find appropriate areas. Health and safety considerations needed to be considered and the play area needed to be well overlooked to facilitate supervision.

·        The City Council were currently working with Bloor Homes, on the detail of the play space that they would provide as part of their planning development. It was important that the play provision they provided catered for the wider community and not just for their residents. Options for the location of the play area were still being considered.

·        In the short term, Bloor would be responsible for the maintenance of the play area.  Details for the responsibility for long term maintenance were still to be finalised.

·        The play provision on Aylestone Playing Fields was in need of a major refurbishment and it was also hoped to move the play area closer to the road if possible. Officers were seeking funding to make the improvements.

The following queries or comments were raised by members of the community:

• What is happening regarding play space provision in Aylestone Hall Gardens?

Adrian explained that a consultation had been carried out which showed mixed views as to whether there should be play space facilities in the gardens. A resident commented that at the time, there had been concerns that play facilities which had been designed for young children would be taken over by young adults. There was also concern that extra play space would result in the loss of the tennis courts, which were very well used. Comments were also made that Aylestone Hall Gardens had a particular character and were not suitable for a children’s play area  whilst other comments were received that the gardens should be enjoyed by adults and children and that there was plenty of room for a children’s play area without any loss of tennis courts.

• Montrose Park suffers from anti-social behaviour and play equipment is needed there.

Adrian responded that Montrose Park had sustained issues with vandalism, but the location was not ideal because the park was not overlooked. He agreed that work needed doing on the park and PC Geraldine Beech suggested that it might be useful to carry out a site visit at the park.

• There is a shelter on Dorothy Avenue which is popular with young people. It is well used and does not get vandalised.   There is a large area of grass on Wigston Lane, which would make an ideal site for a shelter, which would give the young people somewhere to go. 

Possible sites for shelters might also be at the top of Canal Street, by the car park and also an area of grassland by the football club.

Adrian noted the comments and responded that consultation was important because the key for such shelters to work was for young people and residents to have their say as to where they should go.

Adrian finalised the discussion by saying that further discussions would take place with Bloor and the Environment Agency over the proposals for new play space and once an agreement had been reached, it was hoped that the plans would be brought to a future Aylestone Community Meeting. A resident suggested that if possible the plans should also be displayed in Aldi, for members of the public to view.

Adrian was thanked for coming to the meeting.