Paid for by £47,000 of section 106 funding obtained from a housing development at the site of a former garden centre, the play area includes new swings, a climbing unit, trail play equipment and a springer for younger children.  

 

The project was led by public artist Emma Price who ran a series of workshops with the pupils. The artist first worked to help the children understand how a project such as this would be designed and then to help them develop their ideas into drawings and eventually plans. 

 

The play area is themed around the Welsh Land Settlement and the agricultural heritage of Fferm Goch. The play area’s surfacing has been designed to reflect this.

 

Cllr Cave, who is also the local ward member for Llangan, said: “The previous play facilities had long been in need of upgrading and it is fantastic to see investment such as this coming into the rural Vale. 

 

“Improvements have been made to a long list of play areas across the Vale in recent years, but what makes this facility unique is that it was designed by children for children. As a result we can be certain that what we have provided is exactly what those that use the play area want to see. 

 

“Despite the winter weather we have already seen lots of children and young people enjoying the play area and there can be no greater testament to the project’s success than that.” 

 

Susan Price, Headteacher at Llangan Primary School, said: “The project was of great benefit to the pupils that were involved. They developed not only better art and design skills but a practical understanding of how the public facilities that they use every day come into being and are managed.

 

“Some of the designs that were produced were absolutely first class and for a project like this to be developed by pupils as young as eight shows just what our children are capable of.”

Work began in mid-October and was completed in December 2018. Two additional benches and a new bin have also been installed.

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is currently making improvements to many play areas, with work due to finish shortly on Batts Field in Barry and soon to begin in Colwinston.

 

Improvements to facilities at the Grange in Wenvoe and the Murch in Dinas Powys are also planned for 2019.