Heathfield families set to enjoy better play park

Families in Heathfield are set to benefit from improved children’s play facilities after Bovey Tracey Town Council (BTTC) agreed to seek ownership of a district play park.

The site in Prince Rupert Way is currently in the possession of Teignbridge District Council (TDC) and described as being ‘poorly equipped with little to offer’.

There are just two small swings and two see-saw rides, the slide having already been removed due to corrosion.

Town Councill Ward Members Cllrs Lisa Robillard Webb and Hannah Mills-Brown have been negotiating a takeover from TDC since 2023 but the talks stalled owing to an issue at the district authority.

Meanwhile, people living locally have had to witness improvements to play equipment in Bovey Tracey while growing ever more frustrated at the lack of progress on their own patch.

But now, with Teignbridge having to dispose of assets as part of the Local Government Reorganisation, it has agreed to transfer the park to BTTC.

The deal could also include more than £27,000 to kickstart the improvement fund which is likely to need £50,000 or more.

Cllrs Robillard Webb and Mills-Brown presented the news to a meeting of the BTTC Full Council, held at Heathfield Community Centre, on Monday January 19.

‘We’re keen to get the refurbishment started as soon as possible,’ said Cllr Robillard Webb.

‘We’ve the £27,000 from TDC, hopefully the Town Council can help too.

‘I’d really like to make a nice job of it to show Heathfield that we care. We also don’t want to wait another two years or more, otherwise the current toddlers there will miss out.’

The meeting heard that the project was marked as a ‘go’ in the Town Council capital budget for the coming year, after which members voted in favour of pursuing the project further.

Legal terms have yet to be agreed and Town Clerk Mark Wells will work with Cllrs Robillard Webb and Mills-Brown to get the deal over the line.

Other play parks and open spaces in Heathfield could also be in line for transfer to the Town Council.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Martyn Evans said: ‘Prince Rupert Way looks like a good start and we will continue to see what else we might be able to take ownership of and how they could be improved.

‘We must ensure, however, that any deals work in favour of Bovey Tracey and Heathfield so please be patient while we look at the matter very carefully before making any decisions.’