Outline Planning Permission Granted for Play Area in Recreation Ground off Roding Lane

Cllr Peter Spencer spoke in favour of granting outline planning permission for the redevelopment and enhancement of playground facilities in Buckhurst Hill.

Speaking at the Planning Committee at the Roding Valley School on the 1st February 2006, Cllr Spencer said: "The Government regard young children as a priority group for the provision of recreational facilities.

"Buckhurst Hill Parish Council voted to improve the playground and youth facilities in the Recreation Ground off Roding Lane.

"Because the new playground will have deeper foundations and a non-porous surface we decided not to risk infringing the Environment Agency's guidelines about restricting water flows and storage of water in a floodplain. I myself have seen the existing playground flooded several times in the past. So the council decided to locate the new playground in the middle of the sloping field in the Recreation Ground at the rear of Rous Road.

"The field is three or four hectares in size but the new playground will take up only one seventh of a hectare.

"It will be fenced with fencing tall enough to deter intruders and, if cost effective, we will consider installing CCTV cameras and locking the playground at night.

"Teenagers are also a priority group for the provision of recreational; facilities so we intend to strip the old playground for it to be used by them as a meeting point and ball game area.

"There are local concerns about the bad behaviour of some youths who have and probably will congregate in the Recreation Ground but we have been assured by the Community Police that they will patrol the area and address any problems.

"The Parish Council intend to continue to work with the community to produce an acceptable design for the new playground including the landscaping of the site and the retention of trees and natural features."