Newington Gardens Playground Improvements

Update Following Design Consultation

Thank you to everyone who took part in the design consultation. A total of 68 people completed the survey, which is greatly appreciated. The feedback gathered will be carefully reviewed and will help to inform the next stage of the project.

We really value all feedback, while it may not be possible to implement every suggestion, your feedback will help shape the playground.

Common Themes from the Consultation

Below is a recap of some of the common themes raised during the design consultation. This is not a full summary of all feedback received. All comments and suggestions will be reviewed and taken into consideration as the project progresses.

1. Design Rating

The majority of respondents rated the design positively, with 83.8% (57 respondents) giving it a high rating of 3,4 or 5.

• 10.3% (7 respondents) rated the design as 1
• 5.9% (4 respondents) rated the design as 2
• 13.2% (9 respondents) rated the design as 3
• 33.8% (23 respondents) rated the design as 4
• 36.8% (25 respondents) rated the design as 5

2. What People Liked About the Design

Responses highlighted strong support for the range of play opportunities, the overall design, its suitability for different age groups and the safe layout.

• The variety of equipment – 61.8% (42 selections)
• The bright and attractive design – 41.2% (28 selections)
• Suitability for different ages – 38.2% (26 selections)
• The safe layout – 29.4% (20 selections)

3. Concerns Raised About the Design

A number of concerns were raised during the consultation. Below is a summary of the most common issues raised and responses to these concerns.

• Concerns that trees would be removed or lost – No trees will be removed. The three trees located within the proposed playground area will be relocated elsewhere within the park.
• Concerns that the playground would be too close to residential buildings – The new playground will be located behind the Crown Court building. No equipment will be placed next to residential properties.
• Concerns regarding the size of the playground – The proposed playground will be a similar size to the existing play facilities on site just grouped together.
• Concerns regarding the removal of the multi-use games area – The multi-use games area will remain in place and no works are proposed within this area.
• Concerns about heat resilience – The playground is surrounded by a number of mature trees, which provide natural shade across much of the site.

Out of scope requests

The following suggestions cannot be taken forward as part of the current project:

• Installation of water fountains and a splash area – This request cannot be taken forward due to the additional maintenance and operational costs involved.
• Use of wooden materials – The Council has made a strategic decision not to use wooden play equipment due to its lifespan and maintenance requirements.
• Additional shade structures – The park already benefits from a significant number of mature trees that provide natural shade throughout much of the site. Additional shade structures are therefore not proposed at this stage.
• Reducing or increasing seating provision – The design includes an increased number of seating areas for families. It is considered that the proposed level of seating will adequately support families and carers while maintaining the primary function of the space as a children's play area.

What’s Next

We will use the information gathered to adjust the design where possible. The updated final design will be published on the Consultation Hub. A Lawful Development Certificate may be required. Once we have permission to go ahead with the design, the council will work with the chosen contractor to build it, and then construction will follow.

We hope to have a final design and start building by the end of 2026 or the start of 2027.

If you would like to be kept updated about the project, please contact leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk to join the project mailing list.