Play area revamp approved

Almost 60 residents objected to the original proposals for the playground at Langborough recreation Ground in Wokingham, which would have resulted in the play area doubling in size.

The approved �49,000 plan means the playground will be expanded by 5m in length and the old equipment will be replaced with 10 new pieces - including a slide, see-saw and roundabout - for two to 10-year-olds.

Robin Cops, secretary of Greater Langborough Residents' Association, said: "There was some disagreement among the residents about what size of that new refurbished playground should be and as a result of that we ended up with a compromise agreement and that has now gone through.

"My own personal view on this is that and that of the association is that we are very pleased to see young people encouraged to use a recreation ground and its outdoor facilities." The original plans had included fitness equipment for adults and equipment for older children, but these were dropped.

The recreation ground is between Gipsy Lane and Fairview Road, and also includes open space and a football pitch.

Wokingham town councillor Lee Gordon-Walker, who is chairman of the amenities committee, said: "We wanted to upgrade the park for a long time.

"It needed a new play surface and trees nearby were dropping leaves into it, making it dangerous.

"We saved up money for a long time.

"This fits in very nicely with the town centre regeneration.

"We initially wanted to make the park a little bit bigger, but the residents did not want that." In the plans, three overgrown trees will felled and three new trees planted.

It is hoped that the new playground will be open for use before the end of the year.

Cllr Gordon-Walker added: "It is a really nice park, quiet and secluded but still very close to the town centre." He said the town council is also planning on revamping the town centre's Howard Palmer Gardens by adding more seats and undertaking landscaping work.