Youngsters in Bodelwyddan are set to benefit from a brand new playground that has been funded through a community pot linked with a recent planning application.
The facilities at the park, situated next to the community centre, include new climbing nets and frames, swings, balance wheel and steeping pods and have been funded through the Public Open Space Commuted Sums Scheme, administered by Denbighshire County Council.
Commuted sum funds are ring fenced to ensure that the money is spent within the same town or community council area as the development that generated the open space requirement.
This development has been made possible following the approval of a planning permission for the Parc Castell development in Bodelwyddan, which included the provision on-site of open space and a commuted sum for provision and maintenance of off site open space.
In 2010 Bodelwyddan Town Council applied for funding from the scheme. £32,000 has been paid towards the scheme along with a £5,000 contribution from Bodelwyddan Town Council. £35,000 has also been awarded for maintenance from the scheme to ensure that the play area is well looked after into the future.
Councillor Sharon Frobisher, Cabinet Lead Member for the Environment and Sustainable Development, said: “It is essential that new developments make appropriate provision for open space as part of the scheme wherever possible.
“In instances where it is not possible to provide all the open space on site, commuted sums make a very valuable contribution towards helping to ensure that new developments have a positive impact by improving open space within communities.
“This is an excellent example of the planning system working with local communities to deliver benefits for all.”
To date over £640,000 has been paid out or allocated in support of public open space schemes brought forward under the commuted sums scheme across the county.
