‘Heartbreaking’ letter from two sisters sparks fight for new playground after seven year wait
Families say they’ve been without a playground for around seven years
Parents and children have launched a campaign to get a new playground near to their homes in Knottingley.
Families in the Broomhill area of the town said they have been without a play facility for around seven years and are urging Wakefield Council to provide a new one.
Knottingley councillor Rachel Speak said she decided to take action after receiving a “heartbreaking” letter from two local children, sisters Ayla and Elodie.
She said: “Their message was simple but powerful – they wanted somewhere safe to play near their home.
“It was a stark reminder that behind planning discussions and land availability issues are local children who simply want the same opportunities as those living elsewhere in the district.”
The Lib Dem councillor has requested the council’s new Reform administration to install the playground on a plot of land off Broomhill Crescent.
A council spokesperson said the site would not meet planning requirements “due it it’s size and surroundings” but plans for a new playground nearby were expected to be approved in the next few weeks.
Coun Speak said: “For the past seven years, councillors and residents have been trying to secure a suitable site for a children’s park in an area that has long been recognised as lacking play provision.
“During this time, we have explored several potential locations, including Broomhill, The Poplars, Springfields and Howard’s Fields, all of which have been unsuccessful.
“The frustrating aspect of this campaign is that funding is not necessarily the barrier.
“We are willing to pursue grants, sponsorship and external funding opportunities to help deliver a park.
“What we have been unable to secure is a suitable piece of land.
“This is particularly concerning given the continued housing development in the area, which brings more families into communities where there is still no local park for children to play.”
Knottingley resident Kelly Dunwell: “I grew up on Broomhill and we had a park here.
“Gradually it got broken, so they just took it away and didn’t replace it.
“There is nothing around here for them to do. They have taken the swimming pool away, the library away. This area would be perfect.”
Kelly’s daughter, Nellie, said: “It would make us a lot more happy.”
Jessica White, another local mum, said her son Harry would also benefit from the new facility.
She said: “I shouldn’t have to spend half an hour to 40 minutes walking to a park.
“I should be able to bring him somewhere close to home, somewhere he can socialise with friends so he’s not sat up in his room, somewhere they can develop and grow as children, where they can have fun and you can see them smiling.
“They don’t get that opportunity at this end of Knottingley town and it’s not fair.”
Lou Redpath, the council’s service director for environmental services, said: “The great news is that a new play area looks set to be heading to this part of Knottingley very soon.
“The space, just off Womersley Road, will have a swing, slide, balance posts and springer.
“And there’ll also be some fun additions to a nearby path to turn the riverside walk into a ‘play on the way’ area.”
Ms Redpath said the local authority had secured the facility for the community as part of planning conditions for a new housing development.
She added: “The developer will provide and maintain the play area.
“We’re always happy to work with communities to improve access to play areas. ”