Residents on Thornton's Hawley Gardens estate wait 10 years for play area to be built - and aren't happy with it

Barratt Homes was granted permission by Wyre planners to build the Hawley Gardens estate of 267 homes back in 2012, with expectations that the developer would provide the play area for families who would live there.

After a ten year wait and criticism from families and County Coun Andrea Kay, Barratt apologised last November for delays and confirmed it was to finally start work on the park.

The play area itself is now completed although work around it isn’t.

However, residents are angry about the way the project has developed on the estate, built on former ICI land off Bourne Road.

They say the play area is too small and that workmen have left behind an unsightly mess on the grass area around it which is unsafe.

Barratt has countered by saying the play area conforms to the original plans, and says the debris on the grassed area has come from a neighbouring construction site.

Chloe Barrie, one of several disgruntled residents, said: "Some people here have been waiting for a park to be built for this estate for over 10 years and are disgusted.

"The size of the park is made for toddler age and has only five pieces of equipment.

"As we have been waiting so long most of the children on this estate are now a lot older.

"The mess left behind and the ground surrounding and on the park itself, is unsafe for the children to play on. It looks like it's been thrown together .”

Residents say there is enough land to provide more.

Coun Kay said: “I can understand residents’ frustrations but the play area does seem to match the original plans.

"I think one of the other problems is that although the play area itself is ready to use, the rest of the land around it isn’t quite finished off and debris has also blown onto it.

"I would be happy to help residents set up a community group and use a grant available to county councillors to provide some football nets for the land there.

"It does need a little more for the young people there but Barratt has provided what was required – it just took far too long.”

Coun Kay added Barratt Homes and other developers in the area still needed to provide a footpath on Bourne Road to allow residents safe access in the face of fast moving traffic and HGV vehicles.

Barratt Homes Manchester said the delay of the play area was down to other works needing to be finished first.

A spokesperson said: “The designs are in-line with the approved plans for the development and a safety certificate was issued following installation.

“Landscaping work is underway and we plan to continue with this over the next month, so that the play area is ready for the warmer weather.

“We are aware of debris coming into Hawley Gardens from a neighbouring construction site, and we have requested that the developer clears this area as soon as possible, and takes greater care in future.

"An inspection of the play area and surrounding landscaping is planned for next week when any further works will be done as required.”