New equipment unveiled at children's park

A popular play park in Newton Ferrers has new and improved equipment for children to enjoy – thanks to support from South Hams District Council and Newton and Noss Parish Council.

The district council has provided £35,182 of Section 106 funding for the renewal of Butts Park Play Park’s play equipment. The parish council, who own the park, have secured a £20,000 National Lottery grant and put in additional funds to get the equipment installed.

The revamp of the park has seen the park’s old play equipment, which was no longer fit for purpose, replaced with modern equipment that will serve the community for years to come.

Rebecca Smith MP opening the park - South Hams District Council 

Cllr Peter Hinchliffe, chair of Newton and Noss Parish Council, said: "We are delighted to have been able to replace old playpark equipment with a thoroughly modern set that really will stimulate imagination and provide a play centrepiece for years to come. 

“We are grateful to South Hams District Council for approving S106 funding and to the National Lottery for its contribution; without these the project could not have been undertaken."

New park equipment - South Hams District Council 

Cllr Vic Abbott, South Hams Lead Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "I’m really happy to see the new equipment at Butts Park; having this new equipment in place lines up with one of our key priorities, which is to support the wellbeing of all of our communities.

"The equipment provides a safe and fun space for children to play for many years to come. As well as the play park, Butts Park has large open grass space for recreational sports and play, making it a good place to relax, get active and spend some time in the sunshine.

"Let’s hope we see plenty of that during the spring and summer months ahead so children can make the most of the re-opened park."

New park equipment - South Hams District Council 

A spokesperson for SHDC said: "This is just the latest step that the council has taken to keep its communities active; the council has recently helped to deliver millions of pounds of sports funding, with community sports facilities in the South Hams benefitting from £5.7m worth of funding secured in 2025 along with organisations including the RFU, Sport England, Football Foundation and other funders.

"The Section 106 money have been provided from the developments at Parsonage Farm and The Fairway. Section 106 agreements are made when planning developments take place in a community; the developer agrees to provide funding to mitigate the effects that new housing has on infrastructure and the community." 

Watch a video from South Hams District Council below: