Playgrounds across Teignbridge could be transformed under plans to invest £3 million in ageing play parks, with dozens of sites set to be assessed before funding is allocated to those judged most in need.
Teignbridge District Council is being asked to approve a district-wide Play Parks Improvement Project that would see around £3 million invested in upgrading council-owned playgrounds over the coming years. The proposals will be considered by Full Council on Tuesday, July 28.
The report recommends approving a phased programme of improvements alongside the allocation of £1 million from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding, to be used with around £2 million in available Section 106 developer contributions.
According to the report, 37 council-owned play parks have been identified as likely to require improvements within the next one to five years because of ageing equipment, accessibility issues and varying standards of provision.
Rather than dividing funding equally between sites, the council proposes assessing every park using an evidence-based scoring system. Parks would be ranked according to factors including the condition of equipment, local demand, deprivation levels, accessibility and the availability of other nearby play facilities. Sites presenting immediate safety risks would be dealt with separately.
Residents would also be invited to help shape the programme through a public consultation. Plans include an online survey promoted through social media, the council website, newsletters and printed information boards featuring QR codes. Paper surveys would also be made available in community locations, while town and parish councils, schools, youth groups and community organisations would be encouraged to take part in the engagement process.
Indicative costs suggest smaller improvement schemes could cost between £50,000 and £100,000, while larger refurbishments may cost £100,000 to £300,000. The report notes recent projects at Shaldon, Ashburton Road, Decoy and Teignmouth Den have ranged from approximately £105,000 to £293,000.
The council says Section 106 funding is only available in Chudleigh, Dawlish, Exminster, Heathfield, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot and Teignmouth. Community Infrastructure Levy funding would be used where additional funding is required or where no Section 106 money is available, including in Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and Starcross.
The programme would also consider transferring some play parks to town and parish councils where there is local interest and the capacity to manage them, with funding packages provided where appropriate.
If approved, the project would begin with evidence gathering and community engagement before moving through prioritisation, funding allocation and delivery. The proposed timetable would see contractor appointments made in January 2027, with improvement works beginning from April 2027.
The report concludes that the programme would provide a structured approach to improving play provision, creating safer, more accessible and better-quality community spaces while ensuring developer contributions are used effectively.
