East Suffolk Council
Rendlesham residents – have your say on play!
Rendlesham residents are invited to give their views to help create a new play area in the village.
There are over 280 play areas in East Suffolk, with seven previously in Rendlesham. Of these, East Suffolk Council owns three: Wood Close, Welburn Close and Abbey Close, one is owned by Rendlesham Parish Council and three are owned by a management company but have been maintained by East Suffolk Council; Walnut Tree and Pine Close. There is also a new play area planned as part of a housing development on the west side of the village, which will offer play equipment for a range of ages.
In 2022, the Council commissioned Knight, Kavanagh and Paige Ltd to carry out an independent evaluation on the council-owned play areas, looking at how the spaces were used, the type of equipment present and where improvements could be made.
This evaluation formed the basis of the Council’s Play Strategy 2023 – 2027, an in-depth study of current play provision. The strategy makes a series of recommendations and identifies play areas which could be upgraded and redeveloped to provide modern, high-quality play equipment for local families to enjoy.
The evaluation recommended that the Wood Close, Welburn Close and Abbey Close play areas were removed when the equipment became in need of renewal, as these areas were limited in their offer to local families. The small spaces also restricted the type and variety of equipment which could be installed.
The two play areas owned by a management company have been removed as the equipment was no longer fit for purpose and this has left the village with a lack of good quality play areas for young children.
East Suffolk Council and Rendlesham Parish Council have been working together to look at options for a new play area and local residents are now invited to give their views.
Cllr Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “Play areas and outside spaces are hugely important for our health and wellbeing, and the evaluation highlighted the need to update several of our council-owned play spaces to ensure local families have suitable high-quality play areas to visit and enjoy. I would encourage Rendlesham residents to give their views and help inform the design of this new play area.”
A spokesperson from Rendlesham Parish Council said: “Rendlesham Parish Council understand that there is a huge demand for more play provisions to be available for our younger people who live within Rendlesham. We are excited to be working in partnership with East Suffolk Council and are committed to providing our residents with a brand-new play park which our community can be proud of.”
Feedback provided through the survey will help shape potential play area designs and when ready, the community will be asked to choose their preferred design.