Milestone for South Cambridgeshire village's play area sparks fundraising bids

A fresh fundraising driver is under way to get a new community play facility on the road to construction in Great Shelford.

The Playscape project took a big step towards becoming a reality when planning permission was granted, meaning the designs can go to the next phase.

The project includes a redesign of the current recreation area and is led by a group of volunteers who want to create a new play area, improving the space – and the landscape – so it can be better shared.

The plans involve an inclusive playground that has facilities for all ages and abilities, a skateboards and wheels area, and new basketball, football and sports facilities.

More than £60,000 has been raised so far and one of six potential “phases” has been completed.

Eleanor Mccrone, who is involved in the Playscape’s development, said there are hopes the project will be completed by the end of the year.

She said: “It’s not a case of ‘if’ any more, it’s ‘when’, and I think people will love it.”

She said it has been three years in the making and the village community has come together and been willing to compromise to create the new facilities.

“When you want to do something significant it’s hard work,” she continued. “It’s culturally different. Hopefully it will inspire people and the ambiguity will get everybody playing.

“There’s been a lot of progress and a lot of cooperation within the community to make it happen.

“The main thing now is that we don’t have any money for it locally, we have done quite a bit of fundraising, with a fun run and It’s a Knockout, and we have been blessed with some anonymous donations too. We’re hoping to get some grants for the next phases of work.”

An anonymous grant helped get the project under way and fundraising is ongoing.

Donate at shelfordplayscape.org.