Upgrade of play area at Menston Recreation Ground approved

The council applied for planning permission for new equipment in the play area of Menston Recreation Ground, which is part of an investment to improve play facilities in the area.

The investment will include two large pieces of equipment - a new 'Amazon tower' with a steel tube slide and a tall tree climber, along with smaller play features like a crawling tower, bug magnifier, and new picnic tables.

A tree clumber like this one will be installed at the play area in Menston (Image: Bradford Council)

Swings and a slide at the Bingley Road side of the park will be refurbished, with a new carousel added.

Because of the size of the larger equipment, a planning application was needed for the work.

The existing play area at Menston Recreation Ground (Image: Google)

There had been early concerns about how these play features would impact protected trees near the play area. After plans were re-drawn, the application has now been approved.

Planning officers said: “The proposal will enhance the provision of outdoor play equipment for the benefit of the local community without impact upon adjacent protected trees.”

One person had objected to the plans, questioning the use of rubber mulch in parts of the play area.

But officers said: “The concerns raised as to the use of a shredded tyre product for the surfacing of the area and the location of the seating areas within the play area, whilst acknowledged, are not material planning matters to be considered by the Local Planning Authority in view of the fact that these elements are exempt from planning control.”