Plans submitted to transform play facilities at Mold’s Bailey Hill

Plans have been submitted which could see play facilities at a Norman motte and bailey castle in Flintshire transformed. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A large amount of redevelopment work has been carried out at Bailey Hill in Mold since last February in a bid to turn it into a tourist attraction. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A planning application has now been submitted to remove the existing play area at the site after it was deemed “unsafe” by council officials. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It was originally intended that new equipment would be put in its place, however a number of medieval artefacts were discovered beneath the playground, including pottery, arrowheads and iron objects. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Investigations also uncovered a wall, cobbles and pits, which means the existing playground will be turned into a picnic area to protect the site’s archaeology. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Upgraded play facilities will be installed in the outer bailey area instead, including a a timber fort, basket swing and climbing wall. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In a planning statement submitted on behalf of Mold Town Council, Flintshire Council and Friends of Bailey Hill, architects said: “The scheme has been developed as the play area has reached the end of its life. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Current facilities

“The original plan was to replace the existing play area in its existing location. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“However, a pre-application archaeological investigation undertaken by Clwyd Powys Architectural Trust at the request of Cadw revealed important medieval, archaeology. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Hence a low impact scheme to fit sensitively into the important historic setting of the motte. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The scheme will remove the existing unsafe play area and provide an attractive picnic area. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It is proposed that a new play area for Bailey Hill is located on the outer bailey.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Work to improve the castle site, which was built in about 1100, has been undertaken after almost £1m of funding was unlocked from The Heritage Lottery Fund. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It has included the creation of a community space and outdoor performance area, as well as general improvements to the park. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A decision will be made on the plans for new play facilities by Flintshire Council at a later date. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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