Two Solihull play areas could be revamped through leasing land council plan

Solihull Council’s senior team is set to consider whether to back the revamp of play areas by leasing land. The authority’s cabinet will discuss the proposal at its latest meeting being held on Thursday, June 20.

The first piece of land is at The Oakley Housing Estate in Fen End - an area of current and ex-social housing where the open space areas are maintained by Solihull Community Housing. In the officer’s report it says Balsall Parish Council has made an offer to invest funds into the children’s playground in public space on the land which is “in need of investment and improvement”.

The report says: “The parish council has made a formal offer to modernise it for the benefit of the local community. In order to facilitate this, and to limit the council’s exposure to any liability from the equipment, a leasehold disposal of this area of parkland has been agreed in principle.”

The proposal is to lease the land for 21 years. The second piece of land off Moorend Avenue, Chelmsley Wood, is currently leased to Meriden Adventure Playground Association (MAPA).

The lease is due to expire in 2026 but MAPA has said the current length of the lease is preventing them from obtaining funding. The proposal is for them to also have a 21 year lease to “obtain further grant funding in order to continue to provide a high-quality facility for the local community and its children”.

Council officers add: “A lease of up to 21 years will provide the council with medium term strategic control of each site whilst also allowing it short term influence over the use of its land via the terms of the leases that would subsequently be entered into.” The recommendation from officers is for the cabinet to approve the plans going out to public consultation, which is required by law.

The plans will be discussed at the meeting taking place at the Civic Suite from 6pm.