A GROUP aiming to transform a park in Chepstow say they are ‘being held to ransom’ after legal issues with the lease of the land.

The Friends of the Dell Park Chepstow (FDPC) say around £100,000 will be needed to transform the playground, but say they have recently come into problems when trying to secure grant funding.

The park, which along with Chepstow Castle is owned by the Denny family, is leased by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) but according to the group the lease expired some time ago, effectively making grant applications impossible for the time being.

Formed initially by residents Clare Adams, Lisa Beard and Suzanne Osley, members of the group have worked over the last two years to consult with different groups from the Chepstow community to find out what people want in their playground.

Chairperson of FDPC, Clare Adams, said: “To make the Dell Playground a destination park that people are impressed by and want to spend their time in, we will need to secure around £100,000 of funding.

“Chepstow is not currently on the map when it comes to spending leisure time in green spaces; people tend to travel to find a decent park. We are potentially losing out on a lot of tourist trade simply because our park is so underwhelming. FDPC want to make Chepstow’s green and play spaces inspiring and inclusive for all ages and abilities.

“We talk a lot about antisocial behaviour yet we neglect to give teenagers safe places to meet. Following the closure of the Central Kaff in Chepstow, there is now nowhere for youth to ‘hang out’.

“Likewise, the Dell playground is not family-friendly or exciting enough for people to come to Chepstow to spend a day here. We need to demarcate areas that provide places for everyone, from toddlers right through to teens and, indeed, adults and the elderly.”

While the group say they are in communication with both MCC and the Denny family, they say that ‘words are not enough’ until action is taken.

“The crux of the issue is that large grant bodies will not touch the FDPC project unless there is a secure and lengthy lease in place; effectively, our project is being held to ransom by the lack of a proper lease between MCC and the Dennys,” they say. “Meanwhile, the park continues to fall into disrepair and will only get worse, especially in the current climate of austerity.

“FDPC wrote to the Denny family and have since spoken to them. They agree with our project in principle, as do MCC, who are equally supportive; however, words are now not enough. To move forward, all parties have to get around the negotiating table and fix this sticking point with the lease. This problem is not going to go away and must be faced, however difficult the talks might be.”

“On the horizon, we have local elections and we want to hold MCC to their resolve that newly elected councillors will continue to tackle this issue head on. Compared with other local towns in Monmouthshire, Chepstow has been unfairly supported when it comes to play spaces.”

Having earlier organised a competition for children to design a new playground and approached Chepstow Town Council, a public survey by the group found that 98 per cent of respondents said they think the park should be updated, with concerns raised about the provisions for disabled people, toddlers and teenagers.

Ben Winstanley, from MCC Estates, said: “The council are attempting to support the group by negotiating with the landowner to help enable the project.”