Design and installation of an infant / junior play area at Greatness Recreation Ground, Mill Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5BX

Background

Greatness Recreation Ground has become more and more popular as a local open space facility. It is developing from an original open space recreation ground into a more formal park. This is likely to only increase with a neighbouring development of approximately 900 dwellings to be started within the next five years.

It is also the home of the very successful Sevenoaks Town Football Club, which brings many visitors to the park. During 2026 the football club's new pavilion is due to be completed.

Bearing in mind all these changes Sevenoaks Town Council carried out a community survey relating to the future of the open space and its facilities.

From the responses it was clear that the current play area which has been in place for fifteen years needed to be reviewed and upgraded. Following consultation, it was also agreed to move its location to enable families who were already on the grass area to have a child use the play area without crossing the car park. The proposed new location would also be nearer the new pavilion which will have toilets and a café.

Key Points

1. The tender is for a completely new playground on a field.

Therefore, infrastructure e.g. drainage, fencing, safety surface, entry gates required.

2. Aimed at primary school children

3. Natural look equipment rather than bright colours, meeting ROSPA standards

4. Requires some DDA compliant inclusive play equipment

5. Requires some shading (preferably natural e.g. trees). Must retain the existing tree, ideally within the proposed footprint, or otherwise just outside of it)

6. To create a wetpour base with a new wetpour safety surface which compiles with BSEN 1176 and has a minimum guarantee of 2 years but preferably longer. A maintenance plan is a desirable extra service we would like. The product should have been tested in accordance with BS EN 1177 and BS EN 7188.

7. Timetable

• May 2026 public consultation on preferred options

A1 size image of play area to be provided.

• July 2026 appointment of contractor

• October 2026 installation

8. Size of play area

Existing: Approx 32.7m length x 19.5m width

New: 41.5m length x 17m width

Budget for the Project

Maximum budget for the play area project is £200,000. £240000 inclusive of VAT.

Questions

1. What level of inclusivity is required (for example, units with wheelchair-accessible ramps), and how will this be scored?

Please meet the principles of PIPA. The score is in the assessment criteria.

2. We discussed the requirement for trees and agreed it may be preferable for the council to supply and plant these separately. Is this agreeable?

Yes the council to supply and plant the trees.

3. What does "play value" mean to the council, and how will this be assessed?

The play value will mean how much play you can get of each piece of equipment. The score is in the assessment criteria.

4. When you mention that "a maintenance plan is a desirable extra service," what is envisaged here?

The council means equipment that is easy to maintain with lasting quality.

5. How will best value and/or equipment be scored or interpreted?

The score is in the assessment criteria.

6. There is a 500-word limit per response. Given a £200k design, this may make it difficult to adequately explain each proposal. Is there any possibility of increasing the word limit?

Yes we can increase the word limit to whatever is needed.

7. Are wetpour graphics and colours required, or is plain black wetpour acceptable?

Options would be welcome.

8. What type of fencing is preferred around the play area?

Bow top fencing - 1 metre.

9. It was discussed on site to provide a path from the play area to the gym equipment, with all gym items located on a single wetpour pad. Is this desirable, or would you prefer individual wetpour pads beneath each item with grass in between?

Options would be welcome.

10. How will you be scoring price?

The score is in the assessment criteria.

11. It was discussed on site that it could be that we are to just remove the existing play equipment and leave in the existing safer surface and fence as this will be dealt with when the car park extension is done. Are you able to confirm that this is what is required?

Yes please price separately to remove the existing play equipment - this is not part of the tender price it will be classified as extra.

12. Do any of the railings come down for the old play area.

No.

13. Wet pour or ecomulch? Wet pour

14. Please include new P/A linking path from stadium entrance 2m wide on self compacting surface - please price this separately.

15. Please include two self closing gates plus maintenance gate?

16. Are plastic slides acceptable - yes.

17 Do you accept enclosed slides. STC does not like enclosed slides.