Kitelands Recreation Ground - new play equipment - latest

My response to Biggleswade Town Council sent today:

Biggleswade Town Council said on Wed, 22 May 2013 -

In relation to the Play equipment we propose to take to the next P.L.O.S proposals to utilise the money set aside for the play equipment that was meant to go in at Kitelands. The design is now outdated and it would be doubtful if the equipment would be used. We would hope the committee will consider the proposals put forward; they will of course include Kitelands.

The Kitelands play equipment has been going on for much longer than I originally thought.

According to the Council's own published minutes:

16th June 2009 - Public Land & Open Spaces Committee.

106 Monies relating to play equipment

Members where asked to consider correspondence from Central Bedfordshire with reference to developer contributions which were secured for play, sport and open space provision for Biggleswade. They have provided a list of remaining contributions and the dates they were received by Council and the date by which they must be returned to the developer.

It was RECOMMENDED that costs are obtained for play equipment for, Kitelands Recreation Ground and Eagle Farm Road, or if the monies could be held for use at the proposed Sports Leisure and Community Village.

11th May 2010 - Annual Statutory Meeting.

Update of item 5b of PLOS meeting held on 16 June 2009

At the PLOS meeting held on 16 June when it was RECOMMENDED costs be obtained for play equipment at Kitelands Road Recreation Ground and Eagle Farm Road.

Town Council has 106 monies that are currently held with CBC that are due to expire if they are not used before the end of May 2010.

Plans of proposed equipment are displayed in Town Council Chamber from 5 May 2010.

Members are asked to consider the following quotations for equipment to be installed in Kitelands Road Recreation Ground;

Quotation A – Option 1 £26,311 ex VAT

Quotation A – Option 2 £18,085 ex VAT

Quotation B £32,404.60 ex VAT

Quotation C £29,964.00 ex VAT

Quotation D £25,970.00 ex VAT

Quotation E – Option 1 £18,840.00 ex VAT

Quotation E – Option 2 £23,760.00 ex VAT

It was RESOLVED that Quotation B be accepted.

24th August 2010 - Council Meeting.

Planning application CB/10/02226/FULL – Erection of new play equipment at Kitelands Park, Biggleswade

Levitt Partnership has received correspondence from Central Bedfordshire Council Development Management stating that the above planning application cannot be continued with, and a copy is attached to this agenda.

It was RESOLVED that Cllr P Vickers would discuss this application with CBC Planning Dept and report back to Town Council.

12th June 2012 - Public Land & Open Spaces Committee.

Soil Sample Kitelands

Soil samples were undertaken on 18/05/12 and the results do not show any issues with contamination. CBC planners have been provided with the findings of the soil sampling and asked to confirm that Town Council are able to proceed with installing the activity trail under Permitted Development rights.

 

It was RECOMMENDED that this be noted.

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Now the Town Council is saying:

In relation to the Play equipment we propose to take to the next P.L.O.S proposals to utilise the money set aside for the play equipment that was meant to go in at Kitelands. The design is now outdated and it would be doubtful if the equipment would be used. We would hope the committee will consider the proposals put forward; they will of course include Kitelands.

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I am not sure who the royal "we" is and who has decided the design is now outdated and doubt it would be used but why the big change of direction? Who has decided that the scheme that members have approved should now not proceed?

The existing apparatus is very well used but there is nothing much for the older children and many around this area are very disappointed after all the time effort and monies that have been expended that "someone" has decided to recommend it should not proceed.

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The only publishable comment I have received is below but it sums up local reaction

What a shambles!

On what do 'they' base the assumption that the equipment won't be used? Fashion? Do they mean that if it had been put in three years ago they would be looking to remove it now??

You have children passing the site twice a day in both directions during school term, and the recreation ground is heavily used evenings, at weekends and during the summer holidays - I can't think of a better place to put an exercise loop such as this.

Expectations have been raised in this household and we have been looking forward to this scheme being implemented. Now we hear it may not be going ahead after all.

Well done BTC - Another Fail.

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I have copied this email to the Chair & Members of the PLOS and trust on the 18th June 2013 they will stand by their previous recommendation and proceed with the previously agreed scheme without any further delays.

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On the 26th April 2013 I asked Biggleswade Town Council:

You will recall this project started back in July 2010, but stalled when the BTC Agent said the land was not contaminated and BTC did not appear to be aware that it was.

As you know the soil survey required was finally carried out nearly two years later in May 2012.

Nearly 3 years on, can you tell me if the new play equipment will be provided in time for the summer holidays.

I have now received a response:

In relation to the Play equipment we propose to take to the next P.L.O.S* proposals to utilise the money set aside for the play equipment that was meant to go in at Kitelands.

The design is now outdated and it would be doubtful if the equipment would be used.

We would hope the committee will consider the proposals put forward; they will of course include Kitelands.

* Public Land & Open Spaces Committee, 18th June 2013.

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 I have been asked for another update on the progress of the provision of this equipment.

My last post was 1st July 2012 after the soil testing had been completed, and the results did not show any issues with contamination and the Town Council were now able to proceed.

What has happened since then, well it appears the short answer is not a lot!

I asked a Town Councillor over 3 weeks ago to find out for me what is happening, but as yet I have not received a response.

We are nearly three years on from when the application was submitted and the question now is will the play equipment ever be installed?

Link to history

Link to plans