Workers to swing into action on new play area
Argents Mead playground work to begin
WORK on a castle themed children’s play area in Argents Mead is due to start soon.
The play area will be located near to the bandstand and is expected to be completed in time for the school summer holidays.
The council’s design brief was to create a motte and bailey themed play space to reflect the history of the site using natural materials which complement the new leisure centre and existing landscape.
The design, which has been created by Burbagebased landscape architect Ian Stemp, includes a timber castle structure.
Surrounding it will be the village or bailey, which will feature a mix of play equipment including wooden play houses, a forest watch tower, sheep and ram rockers and a catapult basket swing.
Councillor Mark Nickerson, the borough council’s executive member for neighbourhood services, said: “The new play area will offer children an exciting new outdoor play space and will add to the number of other regeneration projects taking place within Hinckley.
“It will complement the facilities offered within the new leisure centre and help to ensure Argents Mead remains the heart of the town centre.”
Residents gave the thumbs up to the motte and bailey design in a public consultation in October last year.
Earlier plans had located the play area to the side of the leisure centre, but it was later moved to maximise the clear, grassed area being formed for school use, councillors said.
The play space was expected to open at the same time as Hinckley’s new £15 million leisure centre in the spring, but it was delayed so the works did not impact on the complex.