Residents in Little Neston are one step closer to getting an improved play area at Woodfall Lane, thanks to a £94,006 grant from funding body FCC Communities Foundation.

The money, awarded by the Foundation’s FCC Community Action Fund, together with match funding secured from Cheshire West and Chester Council and Neston Town Council, will be used to create a new play area, multi-use games area, informal open spaces, improved footpath connections, fencing, and landscaping improvements at the play area entrance.

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “I’m absolutely delighted we have received this wonderful news to start 2020.  This is going to be such an exciting project.

“The plans for Woodfall Lane play area are a significant improvement to such an important asset to the local community and due to the location of Woodfall Primary School next door, the opportunity to have worked with the children has been important to the success of the project.

“Green spaces and play areas play an important role in our communities and the contribution they make to health and wellbeing has long been recognised.  It is essential the quality of our play areas and green spaces is maintained and enhanced where possible.

“It’s fantastic that FCC Communities Foundation has awarded the partnership this money and I’m really looking forward to a refurbished play area and open space taking shape over the coming year.”

A project team was created in 2018 which included Council officers, local ward and Town Council members and was tasked with preparing ideas on how best the site at Woodfall Lane could be improved and will now oversee delivery on the ground.

The Mayor of Neston, Councillor Dominic Roberts said: "I am absolutely delighted with this news. The new play area will be a fantastic improvement and I am sure all local residents and the school will make great use of it".

Richard Smith, Grant Manager, FCC Communities Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the play area improvements at Woodfall Lane and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families across Neston. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”

There has also been on-going engagement with Woodfall Primary School and via the school Eco Group, input from the children has informed the final designs and will also provide support in delivering elements of the new scheme on the ground.

Final ideas included the presentation of a masterplan design were presented to the local community in spring 2019, a drop-in session took place at Woodfall Primary School during the May Half Term Bank Holiday, together with the plans being available to view at Neston Library, Neston Community &Youth Centre and the Town Hall.

Final plans together with timetables will be relayed back to the local community over the coming weeks and it is anticipated that the improvement work will be completed for the summer holiday 2020.
Anyone with comments or suggestions can contact the Council at: PlayStrategy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.