Whitehead play park upgrade plan approved
A business case has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for refurbishment of Castleview Play Park, in Whitehead.
The recommendation was presented behind closed doors at a recent meeting of the council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee.
A proposal to approve the business case recommendation was made by Larne Lough DUP Councillor Gregg McKeen and seconded by party colleague Ballymena Alderman Reuben Glover.
In February 2024, two play parks in Whitehead were saved from closure by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council following opposition by the community.
Councillors agreed at the time closure of playgrounds in the Windsor and Ransevyn estates should be deferred pending a decision on the redevelopment of Castleview Play Park, the main park in the town.
A playground at Bardic Drive in Larne’s Antiville estate was saved from closure and refurbished following a successful campaign by the mother of eight-year-old schoolgirl Scarlett Rossborough who died in a road tragedy in Carrickfergus in August 2023.
A petition to save the playground was signed by 2,153 people. It was renamed ‘Scarlett’s Park’ in memory of the Larne schoolgirl when it reopened in June of last year.
The playgrounds in Whitehead’s Windsor and Ransevyn estates were earmarked for closure after the council said they were “reaching end of life status” and would require “substantial investment to try to bring them up to standard to ensure they are suitable for everybody”.
They were among 12 under threat of closure due to maintenance costs following an independent annual inspection of Mid and East Antrim play parks in March 2023 which highlighted a number of sites around the borough with “significant issues of concern with regard to health and safety”.
Residents wanted the Whitehead parks to be “tidied, maintained and made fit for purpose for children with additional needs”.
It is understood no decision has been made yet regarding the future of Windsor and Ransevyn playgrounds following the recent approval regarding Castleview, with discussions to take place by elected representatives over future play provision.
It is expected that the Castleview refurbishment may proceed next year.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter