Countdown to new play space at Eggbuckland

It’s out with the old and in with the new for children in Eggbuckland who are now counting down the days until they can play on shiny new equipment.

Plymouth City Council has secured £40,000 of funding from developers as part of its Section 106 negotiations to transform facilities at Frogmore Field.

A tired old play area with equipment dating back 30 years will be removed from a location near houses and a new one will spring up in instead in a more central location.

Details are now being finalised but it is likely to include a climbing ship, funky basket and cradle swings and springy seats. The project will also include groundwork, fencing and surface that is more forgiving if young children fall down.

Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Brian Vincent said: “We are delighted that we can now get on with the task of transforming this.

“Residents have campaigned for some time for somewhere for young children to play. We were conscious that we needed to reduce the noise and poor behaviour local people have experienced as a result of some young people hanging around the old play area, which is near to their homes. Now we are killing two birds with one stone.

The work is expected to start in July and will take six weeks to complete.

Local school children from Austin Farm Primary as well as their families put together ideas for the scheme which has been championed by the local Dream Scheme – a project set up by local young people to make events happen in the neighbourhood and create a sense of community.

The group, which has been together for four years, put on events such as summer fayres, surfing and outdoor activity trips for young people. They are supported by Plymouth City Council’s Youth Service.