A REFRESHED play area in Chepstow is a step closer after issues with the land lease were resolved this week.

The Friends of the Dell Park Chepstow (FDPC) say around £100,000 will be needed to transform the playground, but the group came unstuck in March 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 FDPC the lease expired some time ago, effectively making grant applications impossible.

However a meeting last month with the Denny family and MCC has meant a 25-year lease on the land is now being discussed, which would mean grant funding could be applied for.

A spokesperson from FDPC said: “We have had permission from the lovely land owner to sort out our play park improvements and with MCC’s help we have got a 25-year lease agreed going forward which enables some great grant funding applications to start.

“This is huge and we are so excited. It means we can start our grant fund applications and fund raising in earnest now. We can actually start some serious planning to get our fabulous space for play sorted.

“We’d like to thank both the Denny family and MCC for their support and help.”

An email from Sir Charles Denny to MCC seen by the Beacon said: “We are happy to give our consent for a larger play area and for a longer lease on the site so that the Friends of the Dell Park can apply for grant funding. The period we have in mind is 25 years which we hope is adequate for their needs. We think this an extremely worthwhile project and wish everyone involved every success.”

MCC’s legal team will draw up the documentation accordingly in due course.