New facilities at Barnsley country park could face axe in spending review

Plans for new community and sports facilities at a Barnsley country park could be scrapped as the council reviews its spending.

Changing rooms, a community classroom and parking improvements are planned for Rabbit Ings Country Park in Royston under a scheme approved by the council’s previous Labour administration.

Labour has criticised a proposal to review and potentially halt the project, warning that sports teams and community groups would lose out.

But the Reform-led council says no final decision has been taken and argues that investment must be affordable and offer value for money. Cabinet is due to consider the scheme’s future in December.

If it goes ahead, the project will see a multi-purpose building built at the park, which occupies former industrial land. The council had planned to work with a partner organisation to manage the premises.

An entry in the council’s forward plan now sets out a forthcoming decision to "make a decision regarding the future of the Rabbit Ings Project."

Opposition Labour leader Coun James Higginbottom said: “This is another alarming proposal from Reform, who seem to have an agenda to strip away the things which communities value and need.”

The scheme formed part of the Principal Towns and Local Centres programme. Labour says more than £11m has already been spent through the programme, with £35m planned over its lifetime.

Coun Higginbottom said: “It appears Reform are now in the process of dismantling this work, which is a severe blow to the communities affected and sends a message to those who trusted them in the May elections.

“We’re calling on Reform to drop these plans and deliver on the long-planned investment for Royston and the rest of Barnsley’s principal towns.”

Former council deputy leader Caroline Makinson, who represented Royston for many years, said community facilities in the area were limited.

“The loss of this project will have a direct impact on many community organisations, including a number of sports teams, which would have been able to use the facilities,” she said.

“The impact of scrapping the scheme will be sorely felt by many, if it goes ahead.”

Coun Luke Wheat, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and assets, said the project was being considered as part of a wider review of the council’s capital programme.

“A final decision has not yet been taken on the future of the Rabbit Ings project,” he said. “It remains subject to the standard governance processes and will be discussed at Cabinet in December.

“This is part of the wider review into our capital projects programme to ensure every pound we spend is spent wisely. We want to deliver the best value for money for our residents on projects which will make a practical difference to their lives.”

He said difficult decisions would have to be made about where to prioritise investment.

“Whatever the outcome, we remain committed to investing in Royston and will continue to consider future investment opportunities that are affordable, deliverable and provide value for money.”