Owners of Hayling Island's Stoke Fruit Farm Shop “saddened” after accusing council of "backtracking" over investment promise to boost dilapidated play park

Stoke Fruit Farm Shop, on Havant Road, owns land at Northney Park with a lease granted to Havant Borough Council free of charge to operate a play park which is now in a run down state.

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The owners of the shop had hoped to improve the play area with the help of a community group and said the council agreed to equally match any funding – which the authority rejects. The farm shop, which along with Northney Farm are joint landowners of the park, wanted work to be carried out so children could enjoy playing safely at the location but now feel let down by the council’s stance.

In a post on Facebook, Stoke Fruit Farm said: “The land has been owned by our family for many years and a lease was given to the council free of charge to operate a play park. More recently the play park has become more dilapidated and with the help of a community group we were hoping to improve this and turn a corner.

“Havant council originally agreed with the community group to match any funding at 50 per cent however backtracked on this and said they have no money assigned in the near future.

“As joint landlords of the park along with Northney Farm we insisted that a plan was made to improve the park to a standard which was acceptable with the terms of their lease (so) children could enjoy safely. The council declined to carry this work out and were happy to return the land to the farm.

“We are saddened by the council's approach and feel investment into the youth of today is vital in our community.”

Councillor Gwen Robinson, deputy leader and cabinet lead for communities and housing at Havant Borough Council said: “We are saddened to lose this site as a play provision at the north of Hayling Island. The equipment, despite being in need of a refresh, was regularly inspected and maintained to industry standards by Norse South East and remained safe at all times.

“Havant Borough Council is responsible for more than 35 play areas in the borough. Many of these are in a similar aging condition with equipment that needs replacing in order to provide a modern, fun play area. The council is reliant on a very limited CIL Neighbourhood funding pot and external grants to support such projects which currently enables the refurbishment of approximately three sites per year. This funding must therefore be spent strategically to make the biggest impact. Priority is given to sites that are in worse condition and will impact the maximum number of residents - Northney was not an immediate priority site for investment.

“Given the lack of funding available officers from the council had been working to support the Northney Play Area community group in their efforts to fundraise towards improving the site, and at no time did the council offer a 50/50 match funding project.

“Renegotiating a new lease, with the landowner, would have involved an investment figure of more than £80k to install new play equipment – money the council had not budgeted for in this financial year. Once notice had been served on the council, as the tenant, it was requested by the landowner that the council remove all play provision from the site.

“Play is a corporate priority for this council and in the last two months we have completed refurbishment projects at Springwood Avenue in Waterlooville and Front Lawn Rec in Leigh Park. Bidbury Mead in Bedhampton is currently under construction, with further projects to be completed at Spencers Field in Emsworth, Eastoke Corner on Hayling Island and the Hayling Dirt Jumps throughout the remainder of this financial year.

“Myself, together with the council’s leisure manager would be very happy to meet with local residents to discuss our play park strategy and Havant Boroughs plans for the future.”