Worries eased over Preanes Green play area?

RESIDENTS' fears over a play area being built on a busy stretch of road could be eased.

North Somerset Housing has submitted its planning application for the facility off Dartmouth Close in Preanes Green to the unitary authority.

Last year, residents living near the site got a petition together against the proposals.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for the area, John Pursey, who lives in Dowland, collected dozens signatures from people objecting to the proposed positioning of the new equipment.

Their main objection was that the stretch of road can get extremely busy.

But the planning application says North Somerset Housing says entrances to the play area would be from a footpath to the north of the site and a pavement to the south which adjoins a smaller access road. It says the design reduces the risk of youngsters running out directly onto Dartmouth Close.

Proposals involve providing a play area with swings, climbing frames and other equipment for youngsters, aged from about two to six years old on the area of grassland.

Some of the new items may also be suitable for older children but not for teenagers and the area would be surrounded by metal railings with self-closing gates.

The scheme does not include any parking and a bench would be provided for visitors to sit on.