Chinley gets £100k to revamp playground and community centre

The money has come from the developers building new homes at Forge Bleach Works, on Forge Road, as part of a section 106 agreement to put money back into society to benefit the community once work has started.

The site is being developed in two stages and the money from both phases has now been handed over to Chinley, Buxworth and Brownside Parish Council by High Peak Borough Council.

Contributions of £40,415.58 and £23,644 will go towards funding a complete refurbishment of Chinley Play Area. The parish council has already secured three quotations and drawn up designs, and has been consulting with the local community.

Parish council clerk Georgina Cooper said: “This is fantastic news. The current playground is very old and dated so it’s great to be getting a new resource for the community.”

The parish council is also looking at refurbishing the community centre on Lower Lane to extend its life by several years, thanks to contributions of £31,629.59 and £18,504.

Councillors are looking at various options including providing meeting space as well as indoor sport and physical activity opportunities.

High Peak borough councillor Caroline Howe, who represents Chinley, added: “This is absolutely fantastic news and everyone is delighted.”