Mixed reaction to Town Council garden plans

Welshpool Town Council wants to convert an area said to be ‘popular with drug dealers’ into a more welcoming garden for the whole town and visitors, but it has been met with scepticism from residents.

The council has £83,000 to spend on the town centre as part of a fund shared between all towns in Powys, and the Vicarage Gardens next to its headquarters at the Welshpool Information Centre is being lined up for a transformation.

But after appealing for ideas through its Facebook page this week, residents responded with a mixed bag of comments, with several highlighting the drug activity allegedly taking place there.

The council posted: “Vicarage Gardens sits at one of the busiest gateways into Welshpool, but we think it has the potential to become much more than it is today.

“As part of our Welshpool Town Centre Improvement Project, we’re exploring ideas to transform the space into a more welcoming, inclusive and attractive town centre garden for everyone to enjoy.”

While some liked the idea of having a more welcoming area in the town centre, others were not so kind.

Here’s some of those responses:

“Why not spend some money in the town for the local kids to enjoy as there is nothing for them to do. No wonder they are causing trouble. My son would spend all day on a pump track.”

“This is unbelievable. Redevelop the skate park. There is nothing in the town for 10 to 15-year olds, so take advice off parents. Wasting donated money on fairy lights and signs.”

“Ummmm, I think you’re forgetting the skate park that was promised to be put back?”

“Spend the money on projects such as the skate park to prevent the young people of the town getting into vandalism and anti-social behaviour and give them a better future, and maybe doing something to deter the drug dealers. But if you decide to spend the money on upgrading the garden, make sure it is wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly.”

“This looks beautiful, but a skatepark or outdoor gym equipment would be great for teenagers too.”

But there was a sprinkling of positive comments with one person saying: “I love these ideas. I would also like to see a Creoso Y Trallwng at the main roundabouts that bring you to Welshpool too to promote the town centre, that would be wonderful.”

What do you think? Feel free to visit our Facebook and X pages to join in the debate.

PICTURE: The Town Council's AI idea if how the area could look...