New playground is one idea for Pagham's future

The fun equipment is set to take its place in the area’s first neighbourhood plan.

This is being compiled by some 30 volunteers from the answers supplied by just fewer than 750 households in the parish to a survey.

The plan’s first draft should be published this June for residents to comment upon.

Pagham parish councillor Iain Balch gave the progress report at the annual parish meeting. “One of the proposals we are considering is an adventure playground.

“We would extend the current play area at the village hall towards the paddock behind to make more space for those aged eight to 15 years.”

Other ideas such as a new slipway and a community centre-style scheme for the village hall were also being considered, he said.

Work on the plan had gathered pace in the past year. A highlight was the survey sent to all 3,000 households in the parish last March. The responses had been analysed and were being assessed by a series of focus groups. This would lead to a workshop next month to finalise the draft version before it was issued.

“Residents can give us feedback about what we believe is what Pagham will need for the future in terms of the way the village is protected and developed,” said Cllr Balch.