Hope for Bovey families as long-awaited changes revealed for Heathfield play park

Families in Heathfield are set to benefit from an improved children’s play area after Bovey Tracey Town Council agreed to pursue ownership of existing facilities in the area.

The play park, located on Prince Rupert Way, is currently owned by Teignbridge District Council, and has been described as poorly equipped, with only two small swings and two see-saw rides available for children to use. 

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A slide was removed previously because of corrosion, further reducing what the park offers local families, and talks to transfer the site have been under way since 2023. 

Heathfield ward councillors Lisa Robillard Webb and Hannah Mills-Brown have been negotiating with Teignbridge District Council, but progress stalled due to an issue at the district authority. 

During this period, residents have said they watched play parks in other parts of Bovey Tracey receive new equipment, while Heathfield’s facilities remained unchanged.

Teignbridge District Council has now agreed to transfer the play park as part of plans to dispose of assets during Local Government Reorganisation. 

The proposed deal could include more than £27,000 to help start improvement works, although councillors said the total cost of refurbishment could be £50,000 or more.

Updates were presented to a full meeting of Bovey Tracey Town Council at Heathfield Community Centre on Monday (19 January). 

Councillors voted in favour of continuing with the project, which has been included in the town council’s capital budget for the coming year. 

ABOVE: The under-used Heathfield play park could receive major upgrades after councillors agreed to pursue a transfer (Image: BTTC)

Legal details still need to be agreed, and Town Clerk Mark Wells will work with councillors to finalise the transfer.

Cllr Robillard Webb said: “We’re keen to get the refurbishment started as soon as possible. We've £27,000 from TDC, hopefully the Town Council can help too. 

“I’d really like to make a nice job of it to show Heathfield that we care. We also don’t want to wait another two years or more, otherwise the current toddlers there will miss out.”

Deputy Mayor Cllr Martyn Evans said the council would look carefully at any future transfers. 

“Prince Rupert Way looks like a good start and we will continue to see what else we might be able to take ownership of and how they could be improved,” he said.

News of the decision was welcomed by residents on social media. 

Commenting on the town council’s Facebook page, one local said they were “very pleased to hear this at the meeting.” 

Another resident thanked the ward councillors, writing: “Thanks to our wonderful councillors! Lisa Robillard Webb and Hannah Mills-Brown.”

The council said residents would be kept informed as plans for the play park refurbishment develop.