A £3 MILLION project to upgrade play parks across Teignbridge has been approved by councillors today.

The project will see about £2 million from Section 106 developer contributions and around £1 million from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) used to fund a planned and prioritised programme of improvements to play parks in Teignbridge.

Section 106 contributions are payments made by developers to help offset the impact of new development, while CIL is a charge on new development that helps fund local infrastructure.

The investment will create safer, more inclusive and more engaging places for children to play, supporting families and strengthening community spaces across the district.

Thirty-seven of the play parks owned by Teignbridge will be assessed on criteria including condition, accessibility, safety and local need before funding is allocated based on where investment would deliver the greatest benefit.

If parks are transferred from Teignbridge to town or parish councils, funding will continue so local councils can look after them.

Teignbridge Executive Member for Economy, Estates, and Major Projects, Councillor David Palethorpe, said: ‘We should be spending our resources supporting our residents. This is an opportunity to invest in our communities.

‘Play parks play an important role in helping children and families. They offer children safe places to exercise and socialise and they give parents and carers a place to meet.

‘This project makes the best use of developer funding to invest fairly in play spaces across Teignbridge and support the next generation.’