Re-open Bakewell playgrounds splash pads to original time table

Re-open Bakewell playgrounds splash pads to original time table

The Issue

I feel that the council are being unfair, the splash pads have been there since 2010 and there has been nothing but happy children since. All of the sudden they decide to cut the hours of the splash pads being open. Not only are they blaming it on a complaint made 'some time ago' about noisy children, but they are blaming it on noisy pumps. Firstly who ever has made a complaint about listening to the sound of children having fun, need to rethink there location of living as of, they can hear children, it will be because they live right next to a playground, a very busy one at that (splash pads or no splash pads). Secondly the noise of the pumps can surely be lowered by regular maintenance/service/repairs by the council? I have been to the splash pads and to be honest I have never really heard the pumps. Thirdly I think it's a disgrace that there was not even a sign or new time table put up! My friend sat there with her daughter (also other parents and children) for about half an hour last week waiting for it to start obviously not knowing it was no longer running that day. It was only after they sat a while, somebody called the council and was informed the hours had been cut!! Lastly, I am sure that now the days have been cut and when we do get a spell of decent weather, there is going to a lot more people taking there children to the splash pads on the days that it is open. This will result in more noise between Friday and Monday, probably resulting in more complaints. What will the council do then.....shut it completely??? So as I have put my views across, I would like for others to have there say and would like Derbyshire dales district council to review there desicion and reopen the splash pads to the original time table.

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Kirsty KinghamPetition Starter
Media enquiries
This petition had 560 supporters

The Issue

I feel that the council are being unfair, the splash pads have been there since 2010 and there has been nothing but happy children since. All of the sudden they decide to cut the hours of the splash pads being open. Not only are they blaming it on a complaint made 'some time ago' about noisy children, but they are blaming it on noisy pumps. Firstly who ever has made a complaint about listening to the sound of children having fun, need to rethink there location of living as of, they can hear children, it will be because they live right next to a playground, a very busy one at that (splash pads or no splash pads). Secondly the noise of the pumps can surely be lowered by regular maintenance/service/repairs by the council? I have been to the splash pads and to be honest I have never really heard the pumps. Thirdly I think it's a disgrace that there was not even a sign or new time table put up! My friend sat there with her daughter (also other parents and children) for about half an hour last week waiting for it to start obviously not knowing it was no longer running that day. It was only after they sat a while, somebody called the council and was informed the hours had been cut!! Lastly, I am sure that now the days have been cut and when we do get a spell of decent weather, there is going to a lot more people taking there children to the splash pads on the days that it is open. This will result in more noise between Friday and Monday, probably resulting in more complaints. What will the council do then.....shut it completely??? So as I have put my views across, I would like for others to have there say and would like Derbyshire dales district council to review there desicion and reopen the splash pads to the original time table.

avatar of the starter
Kirsty KinghamPetition Starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Derbyshire Dales District Council
Derbyshire Dales District Council
Petitions at Derbyshire dales district council
Responded
“Hi. An official District Council statement is copied in below, but just to reiterate that the current restriction on operating hours on the splash pads at the play area in Bakewell Recreation Ground is a trial only, designed to encourage representations ahead of a formal council meeting on Thursday 24 July 2014, when this issue will be discussed in full. A report to that meeting will be available seven days before (17 July) at this link: www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/latestpapers. Written representations are welcome by email to committee@derbyshiredales.gov.uk or in writing to us at Town Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3NN. The statement below reflects the fact that some media have misreported this issue, claiming it's the playground that has been closed, rather than a temporary restriction placed on the splash pad area only. Thank you. OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Derbyshire Dales District Council has moved to correct wholly inaccurate media reports that it has closed a play area in Bakewell after noise complaints. The play area and its extensive range of modern play equipment - part of the District Council's Bakewell Recreation Ground - remains open 24/7. However, on a trial basis, new operating restrictions have been placed on splash pads in a corner of the play area, pending councillors making a decision on the way forward at a meeting on 24 July. The trial follows a series of complaints from a local household who moved into their home near the Recreation Ground more than 40 years ago - before the installation of the splash pads four years ago and before the paddling pool that preceded it. Their concern is not only the shrieking of children caused by the water jets, but also noise from the pump mechanism that operates the splash pads. District Council environmental health officers have carried out tests that show the noise generated from the wet play area has the potential to represent a statutory nuisance. To give local residents some respite ahead of the school summer holidays - when it is planned that the splash pads will be available seven days a week - the District Council is currently restricting operating times to Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 12 noon to 5pm. We are also investigating ways to reduce the pump noise and the velocity of the water jets. The District Council freely acknowledges that it is in a no-win situation here. We are the local authority that deals with noise complaints and we also operate what is a very popular play area in Bakewell Recreation Ground. The local household has complained to us about the apparent increase in noise from the wet play area since the replacement of an old paddling pool in 2010. The complainant's view is that the play equipment should be re-sited or closed, but as the cost of such a move would be significant and its closure unacceptable, we're trialling the restricted hours operation. The new opening hours are only half an hour shorter than was previously the case - when we made the splash pads available from 10.30am until 12.30pm and then 1.30pm until 5pm (previously there was an hour's lunchtime break). We are attempting to strike a balance between two sets of views and, as always, are committed to listening to local people and visitors to the Derbyshire Dales. All feedback will be reported to councillors for further consideration at the 24 July meeting. ”

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Petition created on 17 June 2014