HATTERSLEY will be home to a new public play park if planning permission is granted.
Onward Homes has applied to Tameside Council to place a facility on land south of Ashworth Lane and north of Chain Bar Lane, adjacent to the John Kennedy Road bus stop.
What would be called Hattersley Play Park lies on the green belt, hence the need for an application.
But if approved, it will feature a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), multi-user paths and a variety of accessible play equipment.
It would include an arrival space, an inclusive/young age play area, a quiet play area, an active play area, a flexi-play area and a natural discovery trail.
And documents supporting the scheme state it will: “Transform an existing open green space within the green belt into a new public play park, providing recreational opportunities for the local community while enhancing the site’s environmental and social value.
“The development is designed to cater to children of all ages and abilities.”
Described as ‘an open green space with overgrown grassland and a few scattered trees,’ the project will lie close to the site of the new development that will see a supermarket and drive through coffee shop built.
It will, in fact, replace a play area that was there before more housing development, with documents detailing why it should be allowed, even though it is green belt land.
They add: “The play park proposals forming this submission are covered by exception b, essential facilities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation, as they seek to create a valuable new play and recreational space within the heart of Hattersley.
“This park is a replacement for a former facility that was lost as a result of the recent housing regeneration works within the wider Hattersley area to the west of the A560.
“Its provision seeks to replace and enhance the lost facility and includes a range of sporting and play provisions that have been identified as being underprovided in the local area.
“The play park will also provide missing links in the local off-road connectivity network. Improved walking, cycling and equestrian routes establish safer connectivity within the local area while facilitating greater access to the wider landscape and green belt, including Hurst Clough.
“Thus, encouraging greater enjoyment of the local environment proven to positively benefit health and wellbeing.”
Onward Homes also say there will be no loss of ecology, including a ‘local landmark’ monkey puzzle tree
And equipment picked for the area has been selected after feedback from teenage girls.
“This provision reflects feedback from the various consultation events,” documents continue. “These events raised requests from teenage girls who can feel intimidated in play facilities that may be dominated by boys.
“The design therefore includes equipment and seating opportunities targeted at girls and in accordance with the recommendations of the charity ‘Make Space for Girls.’”
A flood assessment report admits the area can be prone to waterlogging but suggests a connection to the nearby Hurst Clough Brook via gravity will be feasible and two connections to it are proposed.
Swales with underlying filter drains and a permeable pavement would also be used.
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee, or officers, will decide whether to grant or refuse permission.