Eleven play parks could 'gradually close'

The play area in Limbrick Avenue, Fairfield, is set to be maintained as part of the proposals

Eleven play parks could close across a borough as part of an overhaul of services.

Stockton Council said it could not afford to refurbish or upgrade all of its play areas which meant smaller sites designed for toddlers would face "phased decommissioning and repurposing".

It is part of £150,000-a-year proposals "to financially sustain 32 high-quality play areas in good condition distributed fairly across the borough".

About 15 new play areas could be developed as part of the plans, but others could take up to 10 years to close. The proposals will be discussed at the council's next meeting on Thursday.

Three new play areas are being promised at the forthcoming Stockton Waterfront urban park, with another 12 over the next few years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

If approved, the plan means "11 smaller sites will be scheduled for phased decommissioning at the end of their natural lifespan".

These sites are Bullgarth, Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park and Romney Green in Billingham, Earls Meadow and Simonside in Ingleby Barwick, Bishopsgarth and Bowesfield in Stockton, Mary Street and South Thornaby in Thornaby and Thorpe Thewles.

Preston Park in Eaglescliffe is set to be maintained as part of the council's plans

Some play areas carry estimates of between £2,084 and £40,110 to replace equipment in five to 10 years, according to the council.

Nigel Cooke, the council's cabinet member for environment, leisure and culture, said: "We currently manage or oversee more than 40 play areas across the borough so it's also important to be clear that we don't have the funds to refurbish or upgrade them all.

"While the council is under no legal obligation to provide outdoor play provision we want to not only maintain a network of play areas which, taken as a whole, provides welcoming, accessible, and inclusive play opportunities to all our residents, but also raises the quality of play provision."

The council said some of the play areas have "very few households" in their catchment area, or have alternative play areas nearby.

Three new play areas would be installed at Mill Lane in Billingham, Norton South and Stockton Waterfront.

Twenty more would be kept and prioritised for maintaining and replacing equipment, while the remaining nine would be kept and maintained in a safe condition but equipment only replaced "if resources allow", the proposals said.

Cooke said the council was committed to ensuring there was a range of equipment across the borough, "to make sure children of all abilities and with differing needs have access to appropriate play facilities".