Families rejoiced as Jasmine Park’s play area was finally opened to the public. For the past eight months the facilities at the park, near Whirley in Macclesfield, have being closed after developer Taylor Wimpey (TW) shut them to deal with a ‘minor health and safety issue’.
But after angry residents – backed by The Express – launched a campaign to get them reopened, Cheshire East Council and TW set a deadline of Friday, April 4, to get them back in use.
And on Friday the fencing around the play area was removed, and for the past few days youngsters and parents have happily played in the park.
However, Chris Andrew, Jasmine Park housing development homewatch coordinator and one of the lead campaigners, warned the battle isn’t over just yet.
He said: “It is wonderful to see the park open and kids enjoying it. We won the first battle in getting the swing park opened, but we have not yet won the war.”
A meeting organised by Coun Louise Brown was held on Friday evening to discuss the future of other facilities on the site which are still locked off– including two all-weather football pitches and the Broken Cross pavilion.
Chris said: “There were a number of groups there that were all interested in investing in it, and I’m hopeful that we can all work together and make it a real community space.
“But before that we need them open. We cannot let this go on for too long.” The play area was completed months ago by TW, but a historic legal agreement made by Macclesfield Borough Council stipulated all of the facilities had to be completed and handed over as a whole, without the option of a partial opening of the site. But now it is open after a new legal agreement was signed by the council and TW.
Council leader Michael Jones said: “We are delighted that this park has finally opened up to the public and we thank everyone for their patience. It really has been a Catch 22 situation and unfortunately common sense was not applied to the original legal agreement.
“This council has worked tirelessly to ensure that the facility is completed as soon as possible.”
A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said that a timeline for getting the rest of the facilities opened has now been agreed with the council.
He said: “We delivered on our commitment to open the play area on April 4, and are delighted that the public and residents are now enjoying these facilities.
“We have agreed with the council a target date of June 30 for the completion of all the outstanding works to the open space, sports pitches and pavilion building and are working very hard to ensure that date is met.”
Coun Louise Brown, who represents Broken Cross and Upton, said: “I am particularly delighted for families that at last they have access to this wonderful park.”
