Locals slam play area plans

Residents of the estate were shocked to find the play equipment being removed from the area earmarked for development while the children were in school last week.

Previous plans to build on the site generated huge objections from locals, and were thrown out by planners.

Local resident Bryn Davies said: “The children were utterly shattered and disappointed when they saw it had all gone away.

“They are depriving our children of their play area. Bully-boy tactics I call it."

He added: “How many times can they put a planning application in? They keep pushing for this. For them the children’s play area is just a nuisance.”

A Tai Ceredigion spokesman said: "Some of the play equipment at the Maesglas estate has been removed following an annual inspection report carried out by independent safety experts which highlighted some age related deterioration, combined with some vandalism on some parts having taken place. The equipment removed or made safe in situ was deemed a potential risk to children and will be repaired and returned if possible.”

He added: “As a responsible local housing association, we want to provide good quality, safe facilities for children and families to enjoy and which are an integral the communities they serve. Our aim is to improve facilities for the communities in which we work in and our long-term strategy is to improve the facilities available."

MP Mark Williams joined residents at the play area on Friday morning.

He said: “I thought we had seen the last of this. Local people, local councillors and politicians have said no but here we are again. We need to reiterate the message. This is an insult to local people and bully boy tactics of the worst extreme.

“I’m particularly concerned at the removal of the play equipment when local people are saying that children were playing quite safely.

“We need to keep the pressure on.”

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