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.
UPDATE 10 September 2021:
Works on the playground at the Cema - Chapel Street Park in Norton Canes will start on Thursday 16 September.
The outdoor gym equipment will also be installed from 13 September onwards.
Further updates will be published on this page.
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 results
Residents living in Norton Canes have expressed their views on the proposed design for the new play area at The Cema – Chapel Street Park.
The Council has appointed Kompan to undertake the works to the play area and a proposed design with its equipment was presented to the local community and schools last month.
A feedback survey was also launched last month and was available to complete online via the Council’s website. Kompan also delivered a virtual session to local schools which provided an overview of the design and the details behind the theme. A total of 237 responses were received, with over 78% of respondents being under 12 years old.
The results showed that over 90% of respondents liked the new play area and the equipment proposed. The most popular piece of equipment were the swings, with 35% of respondents saying they were their favourite.
The community were asked if there was any equipment that they did not like and over 47% of respondents said no – they liked all the elements shown in the proposal.
Residents were given the opportunity to identify any equipment that they felt was missing from the proposal with a trampoline, monkey bars and a zip wire being the most popular additions.
The results also showed that some respondents felt that the proposed equipment will be more suited to younger children.
Approximately 35% of respondents also stated that they were excited about the new park and what it will bring to the local area.
The short feedback survey also asked the community about their thoughts on the new entrance way art feature that will be created and sited in the park. The most popular theme for the artworks was mining with over 39% of respondents choosing this option.
These results will now be fed back to Kompan for consideration when finalising the design for the play area.
The results of this survey are available to download below.
Last Updated: 10/09/2021