Play parks cash pledge as others are put out to grass

A summer survey revealed that only four areas - Springfield, Minors Crescent, Hummersknott and Albert Hill - matched European standards.

That simply means that equipment needs to be in full working order, painted to a reasonable standard, safety surfacing provided and the area protected by fencing.

Mr Cliff Brown, director of community services, said that the town's 26 play areas were given a condition score out of 100 and Lascelles Park came bottom.

"We have 40-odd play areas and very little budget to maintain them and that was reflected in the survey we carried out.

"We are now turning a vision into reality, when it comes to getting the money there to do something. We need nearly £700,000 to deal with the problems."

The council was producing new guidance to persuade developers making planning applications to build more than ten houses to give cash to improve existing play areas, instead of providing one on their estates.

"The estimated annual income is about £65,000 a year and we already have £145,000 in hand to kick start it this financial year."

The action plan for 2001 involves removing the following areas:

l Lascelles Park, combined with improved facilities at nearby Eastbourne Park;

l Red Hall Park, close to the riding school, in tandem with refurbishing the nearby Headingley Crescent area;

l Bishop Close, Sugar Hill Park and Sherbourne Close - all in a very poor condition and not used;

l Ingleby Moor Crescent, combined with improvement at Holgatemoor;

l Hundens Park, providing a new play area in Eastbourne sports complex instead.

The then bare play areas would be grassed over and, in some cases, goal posts provided for casual football games.

Coun Dot Long, cabinet member for leisure, said: "In a sense this was almost forced upon us, but I think it is very radical and very exciting.

"The areas to be removed are mostly duplications and there are all sorts of ways children can use the open spaces.