Town Councillors are due to discuss a series of priorities for play areas across the town, including where to push developers to spend when building new developments.

At the next meeting of the Strategy and Corporate Projects Committee on 6th September 2023, town councillors are set to consider the outcome of a review into play areas and priorities, which was established following the adoption of the Newtown Place Plan a few years ago.

The report, written by Lead Councillor for the Project, Cllr Mike Childs and the Town Clerk outlines the play area facilities and areas across the town. One area of Newtown is Llanllwchaiarn, which has no play parks and is a 'very long way from any other play parks'. The report also indicates that there are several playparks in Treowen, however none of these are the responsibility of the town council.

A play park was set to be established on Woodland Way, following creation of the estate, however this never materialised and is currently stuck between Powys County Council and the developer.

Section 106, or S160 monies form part of planning permission approval and require a developer to contribute financially, or otherwise to the local area. This is usually spent on play, open spaces or expanding schools and local facilities.

The report sets out a series of recommendations to the Council, including a priority list. The highest priorities are:

1. Work with the Powys County Council to press the developer to build or provide money for a play park in Llanllwchaiarn (as stated in the Place Plan)
2. Appoint a lead councillor (for this and next item b) to push this along b) If a is this is unsuccessful, consider building a play park using public funds
3. Work with PCC and Active Travel officers to improve the road crossing in Llanllwchaiarn
4. Improve the Plantation Lane play park using S106 money as it becomes available from the developments in the area. If this takes a long time, then improve the facilities as part of Services Committee’s current work plan to improve 1 play area each year.
5. Work with PCC to improve Active Travel routes on Milford Road. Also work with Open Newtown to ensure that access to the main town playpark and to Dolerw park is safe.

Medium priorities include:

1. Improve the play facilities outside Northside community hall (depending on the outcome of the separate community halls review)
2. Improve the facilities on Sycamore drive.

The report will be presented to the meeting. It is likely that it will be approved by town councillors.