The play area debate is on again. Chorleywood currently has significantly fewer dedicated play areas for the size of population compared with other parishes in the district but Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) have funds to create an additional area. The question is where and what
Four possible play area sites have been identified, two on the Common, one in Chorleywood House Estate and one in the wooded area in the centre of Grovewood Close. The Common sites have become the centre of heated argument.
Opposers of a Play Area on the Common say…
* Many homes in affluent Chorleywood have ample garden space for play equipment. In rural areas people travel miles for play facilities
* The Common is a natural play-area with scope for all sorts of outdoor play including clambering over fallen trees.
* It is protected land under the Commons Act so any changes would need Secretary of State approval
* Chorleywood House Estate is a better choice with adequate parking, a natural sculpture park and an A404 Pelican crossing in the pipeline.
* CW Common sites are being discouraged by some on health and safety grounds and one was originally rejected by the police (Site 13)
* Parking is insufficient, the small car park at Shepherd’s Bridge is just adequate to satisfy current demand.
* Fencing makes sense for safety reasons with a road nearby but is not an option on Common land.
* It would have a negative visual impact in a rural setting
* The £100,000 budget is likely to be spent on elaborate equipment rather than basic rustic pieces.
* Should the proposal get approval, subsequent hearings could involve money better spent elsewhere.
www.chorleywoodcommon.org.uk/
Photo Right: John Millar for National Trust
Supporters of a Play Area on the Common say…
* The location is identified as the community’s preferred site with intended users
* In 2015 independent experts (police crime prevention team, TRDC leisure officers and the countryside management service) examined all on the common and none were ruled out
* Children should take part in more physical activity outdoors so a centrally located play area on the Common would be within easy reach of many Chorleywood homes on foot or by car
*It allows for formal/informal play in a natural environment and could link with the proposed nature trail on the Common
*It would take a tiny fraction of a % (max 0.3%) of the total area, the cricket club is around 2%, the golf course around 20%
* All proposed sites are protected in some way, the Common is no different.
* A play area adjacent to a well used footpath and permitted parking area would be in direct view of any walkers, horse riders etc.
* There is no legal reason to not create a play area on Chorleywood Common
* Although fencing on Common land is tricky, natural barriers like logs could be used to define the play “area”
*The Common gives a strong return on social investment as it meets many of the objectives around by providing doorstep play provision
Full report at www.chorleywoodmums.com
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Photo above and main photo: Natural Play by Infinite Playgrounds http://www.infiniteplaygrounds.co.uk/
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