Raft of community projects set to get green light from cash pot in West Lancashire

Sep 6 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

PARKS, playing fields, children’s play areas and war memorials across West Lancs are set to benefit from over £150,000 of investment.

The pot of cash has come from Section 106 money – funds that developers must provide as part of housing schemes to enhance public open space for community benefit.

A raft of proposals have been put forward for the use of the funds, and will be decided on at a meeting of cabinet on September 11.

A total of £50,335 is set to be put aside in Ormskirk for three park schemes, as well as an access-for-all project at Ruff Wood to provide improved access points, pathways and seating. In Coronation Park, new teenage play facilities would include a cableway, large bucket swing and rock climbing next to the current games area.

The other park projects are for seating throughout Victoria Park, and improved pathways and drainage to improve community access within West End Park – as well as the provision of accessible seating.

In Aughton, £70,335 has been recommended to be made available for three proposals put forward in consultation with Aughton Parish Council. They include a drainage improvement programme to make the parish hall playing fields at Winifred Lane more accessible, a similar scheme at Redsands Park, and enhancements to the Belvedere Park play area.

A sum of £2,000 generated in Burscough is set to be used to provide new furniture, bins and signing at the Junction Lane War Memorial to enhance the site and bring the open space more in keeping with its function as a memorial.

The proposed projects in Tarleton would see £43,970 invested in improvements to the Carr Lane recreation area. The two-part plan would involve the refurbishment of the children’s play area, and improved drainage to the playing fields – meaning teams such as Tarleton Corinthians FC will be able to play through the winter with less disruption through flooding.

Neil Leadbetter, Tarleton Parish Council clerk, said: “We have hundreds of people using the facilities and we need sports drainage on the fields. Carr Lane is the jewel in the crown of the village, we want to continue to improve it.”

Cllr David Sudworth said: “I am pleased these proposals to make improvements to facilities in Ormskirk, Burscough, Aughton and Tarleton are being brought forward for discussion at cabinet.

"It shows that, despite tough times, this council is determined to continue investing in communities right across West Lancashire.”