New Sheffield park and playground created - after seven years of planning

A new park will be created in a Sheffield neighbourhood, seven years after the plans were initially drawn up.
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The former Spider Park at Ben Lane in Wisewood was an area of green space which the council agreed to sell for housing in 2013.

As part of the sale, developers made a contribution to create a new park and playground on the former Wisewood secondary school site, next to the leisure centre.

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The sale of the land is now imminent meaning funding can be released.

Councillor Bob Johnson, pictured during the Sheffield Council Meeting. Picture: NSST-04-03-20 SheffieldCouncilMeeting 3-NMSYCouncillor Bob Johnson, pictured during the Sheffield Council Meeting. Picture: NSST-04-03-20 SheffieldCouncilMeeting 3-NMSY
Councillor Bob Johnson, pictured during the Sheffield Council Meeting. Picture: NSST-04-03-20 SheffieldCouncilMeeting 3-NMSY

Hillsborough councillor Bob Johnson said no one had been more frustrated than him at the delay but it was finally good news for the community.

Coun Johnson, a former Wisewood pupil, said: "I first discussed this when I became a councillor back in 2011. The school had closed by then and we were getting a lot of complaints about antisocial behaviour on the old Spider Park so we agreed to do a land swap.

"Nobody has been more frustrated than me at the amount of time it has taken. We knew back then it would be difficult but we stuck by our decision and perseverance got us there."

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The council consulted with local residents back then but will speak to them again because so much time has passed.

"We are going back out to see what the kids want because a lot of the ones we asked originally will now be grown up.

"It's time to do a quick refresh. There will be play equipment but it might not be formal swings, one of the ideas last time was for a zip wire.

"We're also going to consult with the police on the design so we don't get the same antisocial behaviour. It's a much better site and the police have a specialist who we can call on to help design new open spaces."

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Following consultation with the community, designs will be drawn up and the park should be completed by July 2021.

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