Green light for splash pool fountain near Flying Fortress Park in Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds Town Council last night agreed to take on a project to build a splash pool fountain near a public park – marking the successful conclusion of a five-year-long campaign.

The fountain will be erected near the Flying Fortress Park on the Moreton Hall estate, and is intended for the entertainment of local children.

It is being delivered in conjunction with Taylor Wimpey, Jaynic and Treatt, who are providing around £25,000 towards the £40,000 fountain.

In 2017, childminder Tara Chandler started a Facebook group to campaign for a fountain facility, which ultimately garnered the support of thousands of residents.

There are already similar outdoor water facilities in Newmarket, Haverhill, Ipswich and Cambridge.

West Suffolk Councillor Birgitte Mager, representing Moreton Hall since last year, recognised the demand for a fountain closer to home.

She believes that such play facilities have a positive impact on young people's mental health, and highlights, in particular, the benefits for children with special needs.

Cllr Mager said: "When the school and I got talking, we wondered: 'Is there anything we can do in Bury St Edmunds to help children?'

"Water became one of the big things we talked about, and then somebody mentioned Tara Chandler. She's been calling for a water fountain for years.

"I basically took the campaign and ran with it."

Bury St Edmunds Town Council last night voted to approve the project, which it hopes to deliver by summer 2023.

The installation of the fountain is estimated to cost around £40,000.

Bury mayor Cllr Peter Thompson said the project represents a 'new way of working' for the town council, which is expected to take a proactive role in planning and building the fountain.

"This is actually a bit of a step change in terms of how the town council does business.

"It's not something we've done a lot of at Bury St Edmunds Town Council, but it's something we've been striving for.

"It marks a fundamental change in how the council operates. We're taking over the management end, which is something that we haven't done before."