Families in Gloweth will be able to enjoy an upgraded Chyvelah Ope play area now that ownership of the land has been transferred to Kenwyn Parish Council.

The move brings the play area closer to the local community served by the parish council. It was carried out as part of Cornwall Council's develoution programme that has seen other sites, such as Falmouth's Dracaena Playing Fields, transferred to town and parish councils. 

Cornwall Council’s localism and legal teams have been working alongside Kenwyn Parish Council and Councillor Dulcie Tudor, divisional member for Threemilestone and Gloweth, to bring about the devolution.

Councillor Tudor said: “Residents brought this forgotten and run down area to my attention during the local elections two years ago. Rectifying the situation hasn’t been easy.

“When the developer of the housing estate went bust a corner of the play park was left in a legal ‘no man’s land’ so Cornwall Council were unable to transfer the land to Kenwyn Parish Council.

“After some legal wrangling this has now been resolved and I’m very pleased that Kenwyn Parish Council are finally able to do what they wanted to do for years and take ownership.”

Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for neighbourhoods said: “Transferring management of community buildings and spaces in this way allows local communities to have a direct input in what is on offer from their local facilities and services.

“The hard work of all those involved means that families in this community will have a much improved community space for children to run around in and play.”

Similar devolution projects are being developed across Cornwall which involves Cornwall Council’s Localism Team actively working with communities. For more information visit: www.cornwall.gov.uk/devolution.