Lime Pits play area refurbishment plans revealed by council

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council asked residents for their views last year to help redesign the outdated play area at the Lime Pits, in Old Basing. 

The borough council used the responses to inform the design brief which was sent out to play companies at the end of last year for them to respond with designs for the site.

Read more: Families feel 'unsafe' at Basingstoke play park as council plans to revamp area

It has now decided on a winning scheme designed by Kompan and has revealed its plans for the site online.

Work is set to start this spring and will include a new 30-metre zip wire, a giant slide, a tractor multi-play unit and a challenging agility trail.

It is hoped the new play space, which includes zoned areas for toddlers and pre-school aged children, juniors, and teenagers will be finished in time for families to enjoy in the summer.

The refurbishment forms part of the council’s East Basingstoke project which is looking at how the parks and open spaces towards the eastern edge of Basingstoke could be protected and enhanced to create a network of green spaces.

The council asked residents for their views last year.

More than 93 per cent of those who responded to the consultation said they were keen to see play features such as boulders and logs.

The council said the response from the community has been used to “inform designs for the new play spaces”.

However, the last time the borough council consulted the public on plans to refurbish a major Basingstoke park, respondents complained that their views were not listened to.

See also: Council criticised for 'boring' new Basingstoke play park

The £175,000 revamp of the War Memorial play area was met with criticism from families who were unimpressed and disappointed when it opened in August 2021, describing it as ‘boring’.

There were divided views when it came to responses to the Lime Pits consultation, with 41.9 per cent saying they would like the new play area to be subtle and naturally coloured, and 49 per cent wanting a mixture of bright and more subtle equipment.

A total of 69.7 per cent of respondents said they would like a fenced toddler and junior area with an open area for teenagers, while 29.2 per cent said they would like the entire area to be unfenced.

More than 80 per cent of respondents said they would prefer a rubber safety surface to have a naturalistic and muted appearance compared to 19 per cent who preferred a brightly coloured appearance.

Respondents were divided almost 50/50 over whether they wanted the play area to have a theme.

The most popular choice for a theme was Lime Pits and Basing Fen Wildlife and Nature.

Other suggestions included having a train theme.

The three most popular pieces of equipment for a toddler and junior play area were climbing, swings and slides.

While the top three pieces of equipment for a teenage area were climbing, swinging and hanging.

However, the questionnaire did not offer respondents the option of selecting specific, more imaginative equipment such as a train, which was one of the criticisms of the council in its design of the Memorial Park play area.

Of those who took part in the consultation, the majority - 77 per cent - were female with 48 per cent aged 35 to 44.

A total of 90.5 per cent of respondents considered themselves as belonging to the white ethnic group.

Cabinet member for environment and climate action Cllr Hayley Eachus said: “This refurbishment forms part of our ongoing investment to update and maintain the borough’s many play areas.

“The Lime Pits is one of our most popular open spaces, however, the play area is tired and outdated and in need of upgrading. It was important that we create a play area that is fit for the future, therefore we asked users and visitors to help us shape the plans through consultation.

“As a result, we have created a fun yet challenging play space to cater for a range of ages which we hope will be well received by families when it is completed in the summer.”

What do you think of the plans? Email emily.roberts@newsquest.co.uk.