“Why is Oldford treated differently to rest of Welshpool”

A Welshpool town councillor has accused the Town Council of treating Oldford differently after repeating his call for a new playground at the housing estate.

Cllr Phil Pritchard has made several previous pleas for progress after it was revealed that the former playgrounds on the estate were still officially closed due to questions over who was responsible for them.

At this week’s Services and Property Committee, Cllr Pritchard again asked: “Why the hell is Oldford being treated differently to the rest of town?

“I have spoken to the landowner and they are willing to lease a patch of land like we do at every other play area in the town,” he said.

A lengthy discussion ensued, with some councillors pointing out that not every large estate has a play area, and Cllr Billy Spencer highlighted that Woodside and Bron-y-buckley families have to cross the busy back road to Dolyfelin. This, Cllr Morag Bailey explained, was similar to Oldford families going to the Maesydre playground which she had done for years previously with her own children “without a problem”.

But Cllr Pritchard was not to be swayed in his quest for progress and councillors backed his call that a meeting should take place between the Housing Association responsible for the estate, ClwydAlyn, the Oldford Tenants Association as well as the town councillors responsible for the Castle Ward, where Oldford is located.

Several councillors believe that ClwydAlyn should fund a playground, but it appears the responsibility may have been transferred to the Tenants Association several years earlier. The relevant documents will also be tracked down prior to the meeting taking place to assert responsibility.