Residents welcome new park on ex-colliery site

The first phase of the park in Waverley is expected to open later this year

Residents have welcomed work to create a new park at the site where Orgreave Colliery stood in South Yorkshire.

Thousands of homes were recently built in Waverley, and residents said it was vital that recreational facilities were also created.

Developer Harworth said the 20-acre Highwall Park would feature landscaped walkways, wildlife-friendly ponds, cycling routes, play areas and open spaces for sport and leisure.

The park is being developed in three phases, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said, shaped by feedback gathered during a community consultation held last year.

The first phase of the park is expected to open later this year.

Highwall Park would provide a link between the recently-built Olive Lane and the nearby Waverley Lakes, Harworth added.

The park's name references a mining term for an unexcavated section of an opencast mine.

Janice and Bob Bolan, who moved to Waverley four years ago, are looking forward to the park opening

Janice and Bob Bolan, who have lived in Waverley for four years, said it was "about time" new green spaces were introduced.

"We've been here without any facilities basically, so this is all good and very much welcomed," Mrs Bolan said.

"Going from here all the way down to the lakes - it's quite exciting," Mr Bolan said.

Peter Massie, Harworth national director of development, said the park had always been part of the firm's plans for the area.

"We've worked hard over the past year to prepare this complex brownfield site for transformation," he said.

"It's exciting to be at the stage where we can bring this new green space to life."

Another Waverley resident, Chloe Emery, said the park would be a "perfect" area four her four children to play.

"It's what we need, it's what all kids need," she said.

It will keep them out of trouble and give them something to do."

A new GP surgery is set to open in Waverley soon, with Waverley Junior Academy primary school set to expand in September.

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