Mayor officially opens Middlegate Estate improved outdoor play and social spaces

The Council asked residents for feedback on what they want for their communal areas and the overall response was a need for safer, greener, social spaces for residents, and improved security to help tackle anti-social behaviour.

Thanks to the funding from central government, works to improve outdoor play and social spaces in the area included:

• Removing a fenced concrete games area off King Street, called a 'multi-use games area' or 'MUGA', which residents said was a source of noise and anti-social behaviour, replacing it with a new shared garden space with grass and trees available only for the residents of the homes which surround it
• Upgrading the three existing play areas at Clarendon Close North, Clarendon Close South and  Dorset Close, with new play equipment made with natural materials, and new seating and lighting
• A new Tolhouse Street activity trail which is due to be installed shortly

Morgan Sindall Construction, who carried out the works, invited the public to join in for two days of community action days back in August, where they provided equipment, supplies, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day.

Staff and suppliers and council members planted flower bulbs, installed bird boxes, and set up nature habitats around Middlegate, Clarendon Close, and Dorset Close, as well general cleaning, and repainting.

The Mayor said: "It's great to be here today opening this new, modern, accessible play equipment and communal garden area, which residents of all ages and abilities in the area will be able to enjoy.

"I'd also like to thank the residents for their patience whilst these works were carried out."

Warren Salmons, Morgan Sindall Construction's Eastern Counties Business Development Manager, said: "The whole of the Eastern Counties team is proud to have delivered its first project procured through SCAPE and, with a strong pipeline of activity, we look forward to delivering more in the future all across the region. 

"This project's main goal, like all others Morgan Sindall Construction complete, was to create genuine social value where it is most needed for the benefit of the local community. Through engaging with the local community, council, and police we have not only fulfilled that goal in the finished work, but also throughout the whole project."