The Meadows play area project
The Meadows play area is situated off Cuckoofield Lane, opposite Catmere Herne and is accessed via Jubilee Gardens. The play equipment was first installed in 2012/13 and has been well used ever since. Some of the equipment is now breaking and has not been economical to repair.
This is a wonderfully rural setting, surrounded by trees and hedges that the council would like all ages and abilities to enjoy. We are consulting with our residents to ensure the equipment we deliver will be used by many for years to come.
The construction
We are so close to finishing the amazing pump track, and excitement is really building! Four One Four have worked incredibly hard despite the hot weather, and the final stretch is now in sight. Next week they will be finishing the track itself before it is checked by an independent RoSPA inspector. If all goes well, the fencing will be removed on Friday 14 August — and then the wait will almost be over.
Please note that the grassing around the pump track will be carried out at a later date due to the hosepipe ban. The swing set and seesaw will be installed as soon as they become available, and a new gate will replace the wooden one to provide additional, easier access to the area. There are still a few finishing touches to come — but we are nearly there, so watch this space!
Below are some photos taken on Wednesday 5 August 2026.
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Below are some brilliant photos from the pump track construction, taken on Wednesday 29 July 2026. It is exciting to see the project really taking shape, with clear progress on site and the new track beginning to come to life. These images give a great glimpse of the work underway and the fantastic new facility that is being created for the community to enjoy.
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We visited the site on Wednesday 23 July and were delighted to see just how much progress has been made on the pump track. Four One Four remain on track to complete the build within the four-week timescale. However, due to the current hosepipe ban, turfing and seeding are likely to take place later than originally planned. We hope the pump track will be able to open before the turfing and seeding are completed, subject to final approval from an independent RoSPA inspector.
The new swing set and seesaw will be installed once the pump track works are complete. We do not yet have a confirmed installation date, but we will share an update as soon as one is available.
Four One Four arrived on site on Wednesday 8 July 2026 and a week later the site is the ground is being prepared
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The access gates were swapped around to make access into the play area easier and a replacement dog bin has been installed.
A new gate into the play area has been ordered which will allow pedestrians, bikes, scooters, etc access to directly from the path rather than needing to enter via Jubilee Gardens
Funding
The estimated total cost of the project is circa £88,000. We are truly grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from residents and organisations, whose generosity and hard work are helping to make this amazing facility a reality. At the council, we have been busy applying for grants, while many of you have been fundraising on our behalf. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has contributed, from sponsored bike rides to raffles. We are especially thankful for funding and support from:
Hornsea 3 Community Fund
South Norfolk Council
Norfolk County Council
Mulbarton Parish News
Mulbarton Social Club
District Councillors member ward
The Simpson McCreath Trust
Brickkiln Solar Farm
And you, our amazing residents — thank you for making this possible.
There is still time for you to donate towards this exciting facilty which can be done by our Go Fund Me and Crowdfunding pages.
Planning
Planning permission (2025/3341) was submitted in October 2025 with the assistance of Lanpro. We appreciate the feedback received from stakeholders regarding the proposals and acknowledge the constructive input which contributed to the project’s development and has aided funding efforts.
South Norfolk Council granted approval for the plans in January 2026. The planning permission included several conditions, primarily concerning biodiversity net gains (BNG). For reasons of efficiency and cost, the parish council elected to purchase off-site credits to fulfil these requirements. In June 2026 South Norfolk Coucil discharged these conditions under planning reference 2026/0682
The new play equipment
We took your feedback and created a specification for potential contractors. The council considered each proposal against your requirements and asked one company to come and speak to you. Four One Four had proposed a pump track, replacement swing set and new seesaw.
You told us that you thought the idea of a pump track was very exciting and we agreed!
The beginning
In 2024, the council started talking to potential contractors about ideas for the play area. We shared these ideas with you and you gave us some great feedback that has helped shape this project
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Your views are crucial to the development of this play area project. Without you we could not have worked with potential contractors to develop proposals. We value all views and encourage you to contact us.