Plans go in for £500,000 playpark in Peebles

Scottish Borders Council bosses announced yesterday, September 16, that Peebles would be next in line to be provided with a destination playpark, and a planning application for that £500,000 project is now being considered by officers at the authority.

It follows playparks already created in Hawick, Galashiels, Oxton, Stow, Harestanes, Coldstream and Kelso over the last three years as part of a £4.8m initiative and will, in turn, be followed by further ones in Duns, Eyemouth and Newtown this financial year.

The playpark lined up for Peebles will be in Victoria Park, off Springhill Road.

Assuming planning permission is forthcoming, construction work will begin before the year is out and is expected to be completed by next spring.

It will feature play equipment for children aged two to 14 and also for youngsters with additional needs.

A new bike pump track is to be created alongside it and an existing football area will be revamped. A new woodland walk is also proposed nearby, as is a skatepark.

As part of the programme, there are also plans for a new play area and skate park in Jedburgh, a new skate park in Galashiels and a series of youth/fitness shelters.

Council convener David Parker said: “The council’s plans this coming year for Peebles, Duns, Eyemouth and Newtown are very exciting, and they come on the back of the successful delivery of playparks in Hawick, Galashiels, Oxton, Stow, Harestanes, Coldstream and Kelso.

“I am particularly excited by the Peebles proposals, which promise to deliver a massively-enhanced facility for the local community.”

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler, the authority’s executive member for community development and localities, added: “On the back of previous successful projects, I am looking forward to this year’s programme, which will enhance facilities for young people in more communities across the Borders.

“If approved, the new Peebles playpark will provide an outstanding range of equipment and facilities for young people.

“This development forms part of much bigger plans for Peebles that will include a 3G pitch at the high school as part of its redevelopment.”