Written evidence submitted by S:Park [PKS 029]
Executive summary
1. Background
South Park, Macclesfield is a park spread over 44 acres, in close proximity to the town centre and bordering Macclesfield Learning Zone (a multi-purpose educational facility comprising of the local FE College, high school and primary school for children with special educational needs), as well as concentrated areas of housing (some within an IMD area of Macclesfield South).
The park was originally part of a large country house estate and was gifted to the people of Macclesfield in 1922 and is currently managed by ANSA Environmental Services (a company wholly owned and controlled by Cheshire East Council). A large 2 storey pavilion was last used in 2012 by the Connexions Service and is now derelict.
2. S:Park CIC
S:Park CIC was set up in 2014, following a successful project whereby a group of young people, supported by the Cheshire East Youth Engagement Service, reopened part of the pavilion to serve ice cream and drinks over the summer school holiday.
A number of public meetings were set up at this time, exploring ways to sustain this project and improve other aspects of the park, resulting in establishing a group of very committed and enthusiastic local residents, who set up a community interest company with the aim of restoring the pavilion and improving wider aspects of the park. S:Park meets regularly and works closely with Cheshire East Council officers and Members, Macclesfield Town Council, local schools and college, Peaks and Plains Housing Trust and Cheshire Police.
3. Facilities
The park includes the following facilities and is well used by the local community:
4. Current usage
The park is currently well used as a recreation and play area for families, joggers, outdoor fitness enthusiasts, dog walkers and local residents on their way to or from the town centre, or to school or college. The Action Zone facilities are expected to attract many more users and there is enthusiasm to create a Parkrun facility once the new running track is in place. These facilities will have the potential to have a major impact on health and wellbeing for large numbers of new and existing users. The work to the pond will generate interest from anglers who have previously used the park.
In 2014, large scale consultation amongst a diverse range of users and local residents resulted in overwhelming support for the restoration and reopening of the pavilion. The most popular facilities were the incorporation of a café and toilets.
Other potential uses included:
5. Impact of reduction of local authority budgets and alternative management options
S:Park CIC is able to bid for external funding and has already successfully obtained £40,000 towards the Action Zone.
The main focus of the group is now the restoration of the pavilion. Initial scoping surveys have indicated that the currently building is unsafe and refurbishment is not an option. A new build on the existing footprint, incorporating café, meeting rooms, equipment hire, storage and toilet facilities is estimated to be in the region of £450,000. The large scale investment on other elements of the park is now severely disadvantaged by the lack of catering and toilet facilities.
An asset transfer of the park to a group such as S:Park has wide implications for maintenance costs, safety and management and would be a huge undertaking at the present time. Options such as transfer from Cheshire East Council to the newly established Macclesfield Town Council or to another larger organisation with an interest in using the pavilion as part of their community service delivery have been discussed.
The large scale funding needed to rebuild the pavilion is being currently investigated. Lottery funding and other options are being explored, although the park location does not qualify as an IMD area preferred by the Reaching Communities Fund.
Recommendations
There are currently significant opportunities to create a large scale facility to contribute to the restoration of the heritage of Macclesfield as well as to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community.
Cheshire East Council would like to progress the development of the park in partnership with S:Park as part of DCLG’s ‘Delivering Differently in Neighbourhoods’ programme. Cheshire East Council was successful in being awarded DDiN funding in 2014 and is half way through an innovative programme of partnership and community working which is proving successful within the Macclesfield area.
The intention is to explore creative options to restore the pavilion and manage the park as part of the ‘Delivering Differently’ programme and would welcome support and further collaboration with DCLG on an innovative way forward.