Excitement is building among the children of Litton and surrounding villages as they look forward to a complete revamp of their community playground, thanks to a grant from Tarmac’s Landfill Communities Fund*.
Litton has been awarded a grant of nearly £47,000 from The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund. The grant helps the Parish Council and the Litton Playground Committee reach their fundraising target of £52,000.
This money will help give the playground a makeover, including a large new climbing frame, swings for older children, more slides, a seesaw, play panels and a smaller climbing frame for younger children. In addition, a current roundabout will be moved to a location more suitable for older children.
The playground is used by children from schools and playgroups and generally from the villages of Litton, Cressbrook and Litton Mill.
Councillor Rachel Rennie said: “We are over the moon to receive this grant from Tarmac. We can now look forward to installing more long-lasting equipment to update the playground for younger and older children and prevent the frequent mending some of the current equipment requires.
“The Playground Committee is now set to fundraise for the last phase of the project which includes pruning the trees for safety and turning a grassy slope into a wildflower meadow to help local wildlife thrive.
“We are hoping that the new playground will be ready in the autumn so that the children will have a chance to enjoy it before winter sets in.”
Councillor Gordon Rooke added: “It provides more play value to the children based on what the children themselves wanted when they were asked at the beginning of the project. We are all excited by the plans and grateful to Tarmac for providing the funds.”
Graham Cooper, Tarmac’s lime business director visited the playground to hear more about the project. He added: “It’s easy to see what a vital local facility this is for children to have an outside play space. Tarmac is keen to support community projects where it can, both locally through its operational sites, and also via this national Landfill Communities Fund. We look forward to seeing the new playground opened and buzzing with the sound of children’s play.”
If you would like to donate towards the Litton playground development, please head to our gofundme page – www.gofund.me/e2a50905
*The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund (or Landfill Tax Credit Scheme as it was formerly known) enables landfill operators like Tarmac, to donate part of their annual tax liability to enrolled Environmental Bodies for a variety of approved community and environmental projects. Landfill operators can reclaim 90% of their contribution as a tax credit which means the remaining 10% must be provided either by them or an independent third party. Through the fund Tarmac donates around £1 million each year to community projects throughout the UK. The fund is open to applicants who meet the strict criteria for projects delivering community benefit. For more information, please go to www.entrust.org.uk
Picture caption: Tarmac’s lime business director Graham Cooper at the playground pre-development with Gordon Fuller (centre); Councillor Gordon Rooke (back right) and Katie Eavies (front right, with child).