£5.5million could be spent on Children's Village in Rhyl

Denbighshire County Council unveiled plans to transform the Children’s Village into a “waterfront park” earlier this year.

The matter will be discussed at a council cabinet meeting next Tuesday (October 20), where permission will be sought to use the underspend from the town’s flood defence improvement scheme on this project.

The local authority estimates that the Central Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme was completed last year, with £5.5m left in the budget allocated for it.

A concept for a welcoming entrance from the High Street with shallow illuminated steps and planted areas to each side of the steps. (Image: Denbighshire County Council)

A new council report states: “Approval has been given by Welsh Government (who funded 85 per cent of the borrowing repayment costs for the Central Rhyl Coastal Defence project) that this underspend could be utilised to boost regeneration and tourism in Rhyl.

“The only proviso is that the funding must be used on works adjacent to the coastal defence project.

“There is broad agreement that something needs to be done to improve the Children’s Village.

“The proposed works will provide improved access into the area, paving and grassed areas for leisure amenity, a large open space for future flexible use and raised areas for visitors to be able to see the beach.

“Future use of this area once it has been developed needs to be considered, but it is felt that this is the best use of the underspend.”

Modular furniture is proposed in the small landscaped area closest to the cinema. (Image: Denbighshire County Council)

The scheme of improvements proposed for the Children’s Village includes a “high-quality, flexible events space that can be enjoyed throughout the year”.

There are also plans for enhanced accessibility for all users, waterside and terraced gardens, improved landscaping, and new public spaces to create a “more welcoming, attractive and enjoyable environment”.

The funfair at the Children’s Village is set to be relocated to the former site of the SeaQuarium, also on the town’s promenade.

It is expected that an ice cream kiosk, tourist information centre, and a building for parking enforcement officers at the Children’s Village would be demolished if the proposals progress.

A concept for a 'promenade walk' - a landscaped pedestrian route linking the cinema car park to the centre of the Waterfront Park, with planting and informal seating. (Image: Denbighshire County Council)

The council’s report added: “Demolition of some buildings will result in parking services and tourist information centre staff needing to be relocated to facilitate the project delivery.

“Discussions are underway with the relevant heads of service to identify suitable arrangements and ensure a timely resolution, minimising disruption to service provision.

“A public consultation also took place on August 12. It is fair to say that the proposals received a mixed reception generally, with many people understanding that this presented an opportunity to deliver further improvement, but some felt that DCC should be spending the money elsewhere or providing new activities.

“Given the constraints on how the money can be spent, it still seems appropriate to utilise it within the Children’s Village.

An accessible entrance from Queen Street featuring shallow steps and a zig-zag ramp suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users. (Image: Denbighshire County Council)

“The lack of connectivity between the beach and the town centre is always highlighted as a major concern. There are currently too many physical barriers (i.e. buildings) on the promenade, and there are limited obvious routes from the town centre to the beach and vice-versa.

“The Children’s Village, given its location at the top of High Street and opposite Queen’s Market, is the major barrier that we need to address.

“A key risk for these projects is the limited timeframe available for delivery. Any delay in securing cabinet approval could compromise the construction programme and jeopardise the timely and cost-effective completion of the works.

A concept for a landscaped area with lawns, trees, shrubs and planted borders alongside walkways, located nearest the promenade. (Image: Denbighshire County Council)

“There remains a level of apathy around future use of the area, and therefore, the council will need to be clear and proactive in how it consults on best use of this opportunity.”

A wellbeing impact assessment report states that measures will be put in place to keep disruption to a minimum while the development project is ongoing.

Regular discussions and meetings will be held with businesses and residents to provide updates on the programme of works and the different stages of construction, the council added.