In December 2019, Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved the spending of £120,000 to improve the play area and open space at The Cema – Chapel Street Park in Norton Canes.
The money has been allocated from Section 106 funds collected from housing developments in the village.
The improvements will include a new fully equipped play area, circular footpaths, landscaping, green gym equipment, to incorporate some artwork recognising the heritage of the area relating to the canal basin and local mining history.
The Council is working closely with the Parish Council to seek the views of local people to see how the wider community would like the new play area and open space to look.
The development will be designed to fit into the surroundings and enhance the local environment and will be suitable for all ages and interests.
The new play area will be opening late Summer 2021!
Over the last few months, improvement works have been carried out on site including a new circular pathway and the installation of a green gym.
Plans are also underway to develop art pieces that will be positioned around the park and a further consultation and engagement programme for this will be launched over the Summer.
Further updates will be published on this page as and when appropriate.
If you would like further information about the improvement works, please call Norton Canes Parish Council on 01543 276812 or email nortoncanesparishcouncil@live.co.uk
Initial consultation - views on improvements
The first round of consultation launched in November 2020 and closed on 11 January.
137 responses were received in total with 122 surveys being completed online and 15 on paper.
The results show that the park and play area appear to be well used with two thirds of respondents visiting at least once a week.
Most respondents visit the area for exercise, walking the dog and playing in the park.
The most popular pieces of play equipment that people would like to see in the new play area are swings, wide slides, multi-games area, climbing frames, a zip wire and a roundabout.
Respondents are also keen to see a circular pathway, green gym, more benches and bins as part of the improvements.
The installation of an art feature split opinion straight down the middle. This suggests there will be a need to include art into the finished scheme with the possibility of creating an entrance feature or interpretation panels.
Finally, over 90 per cent of respondents would like to see the history of the site reflected in the design of the play area. This will be incorporated into the design brief for the play area contractors.
The Council is continuing to work closely with Norton Canes Parish Council to develop some design options for the site based on the results of this survey.
The design proposals will go out for consultation after the Easter holidays, so residents will have an opportunity to see the various options available.
The results of this survey are available to download below.
NEW Design Proposal - Feedback Survey
The has appointed a Contractor to undertake the works to the play area and a proposed design has been developed. This proposal incorporates the views and suggestions of residents from the first round of consultation which was undertaken in November 2020.
The proposal will be presented to the local community and schools over the next few weeks to see what people think of the proposed new play area and its equipment.
The feedback survey launches this week and will run until 19 July. A brief description of the proposed design is explained in this short video which is being delivered in local schools.
You can complete the online survey here.
If you would like a hard copy of the survey or would like further information about the improvement works, please call the Parish Council on 01543 276812 or email nortoncanesparishcouncil@live.co.uk
Last Updated: 02/07/2021