Member Article

Leeds green spaces benefit from £364k cash boost

A cash injection of £364,000 has been awarded to improve facilities at three green spaces in Leeds. Lovell Park, Kirk Lane Park and Dunkirk Hill are all set to benefit from the funding.

The money has come from house builders as part of open space improvement contributions from new housing developments and will be used to improve the areas for use by local communities.

Councillor Peter Gruen, Leeds City Council executive board member for neighbourhoods, planning and support services, said: “It is important that developers in the city who do not, or are unable to, provide sufficient open space as part of their development pay a financial contribution, which can be ring fenced for projects in that area.

“The council has collected almost £12 million from housing developers over the last 10 years.”

This money has been invested in a wide range of improvement projects from woodland planting, new paths and park furniture such as bins and benches, new play areas, skate parks, grass playing pitches and hard surfaced games areas.

Councillor Mark Dobson, Leeds City Council executive board member for Environment and Parks, said: “Leeds is a very green city and ensuring our open spaces are of high quality is a priority. These projects will make a big difference to the areas they’re in – providing more enjoyable spaces for communities to come together.”

Kirk Lane Park is up for a £118,000 chunk of the funding and will see more play facilities added thanks to a new multi-use games area being installed.

Along with refurbishment of the play area new furniture such as benches and bins will be added with work due to start in spring. Lovell Park will also see improvements this year including the removal and relaying of foot paths, improvements to the entrances, drainage works, tree works, and installation of new benches and bins.

As part of the £154,000 project, the bowling green will be removed and remodelled to blend into the park landscape while providing better footpaths to the city centre and the arena.

Dunkirk Hill amenity next to Armley’s Leeds Industrial Museum gets £90,000 to open up the area for use by the community.

Trees next to the River Aire and canal will be removed or cut back, shrubs added as well as pathways constructed and safety rails installed on the steps towards the museum. New furniture such as seats, picnic tables, signage and interpretation boards will be installed to allow greater use of the open areas.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Vincent .