Councils have a role to play in the provision of good quality play areas and open spaces. This is why Cannock Chase Council is committed to providing good quality parks, play areas and open spaces for all to enjoy. This page will provide you with information about new improvements that will be made to exisiting sites across the District and how you as local residents can help shape their design.
Please see below the latest locations we are currently working on.
The Cema - Norton Canes (completed)
Works to the park and play area at the Cema - Chapel Street Park in Norton Canes have now been completed.
The community of Norton Canes can now enjoy their new green space and make the most of the newly installed circular pathway with green gym equipment as well as a new play area for children and families. When accessing the park, visitors will be greeted with beautiful pieces of entrance artwork that depict the history of the site.
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.
Find out more about the new improvements made to the Cema here.
Wellington Drive - Cannock
In June 2022, Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved to spend £168,000 on refurbishments to the existing play area on the Wellington Drive site in Cannock.
Significant development has taken place in the Cannock South Ward over the last 10 years. The Council will utilise section 106 monies from these developments to fund the project.
The existing play area was last updated in 2001. It has no provision for inclusive play and has no direct access for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
The refurbishments will include, the provision and relocation of a new fully accessible and equipped play area, new formal hard surfaced footpaths, relocation of grass kickabout area and a new site access barrier.
The site improvements will also include tree planting, which will contribute to the Council’s climate change agenda.
Works aim to be completed in 2023.
We will be delivering a programme of engagement throughout this development so local residents can provide feedback on the improvement plans. The initial feedback was undertaken in November and a leaflet was distributed to households living nearby. Below is a summary of the responses we received.
The next stage of engagement was launched in February and has now closed. Residents have provided feedback on the proposed design of the play area and this has been fed back to the Contractor who is designing and developing the play area.
Please note, banners are still on display around the current play area site for residents to see the new design. However the survey has now closed, so the QR code link will no longer work. The design can also be downloaded below.
The Council has appointed Kompan to undertake the works to the play area and the theme will focus on woodland and nature.
Works to the new play area have now been completed and the new park is open to the public.
The old play area is still in situ and work to that area of the site will begin next month. Further updates will follow shortly.
Laburnum Avenue Recreational Area - Cannock
In September, Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved to spend over £385,000 on improvements to the play areas and open space on Laburnum Avenue in Cannock.
The funds will be allocated from Section 106 monies, from the development of housing on nearby land.
The existing play area is not fully inclusive and has 10 pieces of play equipment which were last partly refurbished in 2005. The site currently has a small pond, wetland, a stream and rising brook, a football pitch, and a grassed kickabout area.
The proposed improvements will be delivered in three phases. With the estimated costs for Phases 2 and 3 being approved at a later date.
The first phase will include preparation and earthworks, improvements to the main pathways and play area, fencing and landscaping. It will also include installing a multi-use games area (MUGA), green gym equipment, and site furniture. All of which will be delivered over the next 12 months.
Works aim to be completed by late 2023.
We are now at the stage where we can share with you the site plan layout for the area, please see the flyer below.
Residents living in and around the Laburnum Avenue Recreational Area in Cannock have had the opportunity to design their new play area and provide ideas for wider site improvements as part of the first stage of consultation. Several community engagement sessesions were held last month and took place on site and in local primary schools.
A full copy of the responses are available to download below.
This feedback will now be used to help form the design of the new play area and a design proposal will be shared with residents shortly.
Pathway works will begin on Monday 5 June until approximately Monday 7 August (subject to weather and Contract conditions). Full details can be found in the Pathway Programme below.
There will be some path closures and some routes re-directed during the works. Signs will be displayed around the site over the next few days.
Barnard Way - Cannock
In January 2023, Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet agreed to fund improvements to this play area in Cannock.
The costs to deliver the improvements will be met from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds from the Cannock East ward at a cost of £88,000.
CIL ward funding has come from significant housing developments over the last 5 years and Cannock East Ward Members have requested that the money be spent on the play area, which borders Barnard Way and Cannock Road in Cannock.
The Council will also use £8,750 donated by The Forest of Mercia Community Interest Company (CIC) for planting trees and shrubs.
The existing equipment on the Barnard Way play area was installed in 1991 and is not fully inclusive.
The refurbishments will include, the provision of a new fully accessible and equipped play area, new formal hard surfaced footpaths and tree planting.
Work is anticipated to start in the summer with completion due autumn 2023.
The Council has recently sought views of local residents on the design of the new play area. Leaflets were delivered around the local area in June and residents were encouraged to complete the short online survey.
View the design option in the document below.
The closing dates for comments was Monday 17 July. Below is a summary of the responses received.
The Project Team are now going through the responses and will provide an update on works shortly.
Last Updated: 24/08/2023