FRESH hopes have been raised that a much-loved Cardigan park may finally be brought in from the cold.
One town councillor believes the authority should ‘jump through hoops’ in order to return the Maesglas play area to the community.
The piece of land between the Maesglas housing estate and Aberystwyth Road was a battleground between Tai Ceredigion and local residents for several years.
The housing association axed the park to make way for two disabled bungalows, sparking a fierce campaign by The North Cardigan Action and Support Group to have it reinstated.
Tai Ceredigion have since merged into Barcud Housing Association and councillors now hope new talks with ultimately see the park reinstated.
In an impassioned address to colleagues on Tuesday night, long-time campaigner Cllr Teresa Harries said she had never given up hope that a play area dating back to the 1960s could yet receive a new lease of life.
“This has been deemed the safest play area in Ceredigion,” she said. “Getting it back has been a long time coming, but since 2007 community events have continued to be held there non-stop.
“Looking back, we worked tirelessly as a group to keep the community together.
“I was born in Maesglas in 1958 and can’t remember that area being used for anything else.”
Cllr John Adams-Lewis said he and Cllr Harries had spent the last ‘10-15 years’ fighting for a resolution.
At one point a move by residents to secure official village green status was the subject of a public inquiry.
But even the intervention of Ceredigion MP Ben Lake could not persuade Tai Ceredigion to give the land over to residents for continued use by local children.
“Carnivals, sports, galas and jubilee events have all been held there in the past,” recalled Cllr Adams-Lewis.
“Back in 2012 Tai Ceredigion made an application to build 9-19 houses – they actually made four applications over the years and all were turned down.
“The only use for this field was as a playground. It has been used for the last sixty years as a recreational community area.
“Barcud are now considering demolishing garages on the site and creating a car park.
“But they are willing to discuss a long-term lease or transfer the land to us. Hopefully we can lease it on a peppercorn rent.”
Cllr Richard Davies said the play area had been a part of Maesglas for as long as he could remember.
“The way Tai Ceredigion took that park away was disgraceful and if there’s any chance of getting it back then we should jump through hoops to make sure it happens,” he added.
However, Cllr Clive Davies sounded a note of caution, saying more information from Barcud was required.
“At the moment there are too many unknowns,” he said. “We just don’t yet know exactly what’s on the table.”
It was agreed to seek a meeting with Barcud chief executive Jason Jones and senior development officer Geraint Roberts to try and find a way forward.
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