A new play area and outdoor gym could be in place by next spring if Cockfield Parish Council’s plans come together in time.
Councillors first mooted turning a former bowling green into a picnic and play area three years ago, but had to wait for a tenant to vacate the plot.
Acting chairman Cllr Neville Singleton told members at their latest meeting that a combination of legal issues and interruptions because of bird nesting seasons had for two years prevented the area from being tidied up.
However, during last winter the fences had been cleared, hedges had been cropped back, and groundwork had been done.
Cllr Singleton said the parish council has a sizeable capital reserve after selling a former civic building, which could be used to buy play equipment.
Cllr David Britton suggested gym equipment also be installed.
He said: “It is the same as they have at Wolsingham and they reckon it is massively successful.
“The company I have been in touch with say because we are a council they will help us get grants.”
Cllr Bitton added that if the council wanted to buy the equipment itself it would cost about £10,000 for 12 items.
The council noted that a resident had launched a petition calling for improvements to the existing playground without approaching the council first.
The playground has been vandalised on several occasions in the past and because of that, the swing seats had not been replaced. The council installed a CCTV camera system recently to curb vandalism and plans now to replace the seats.
Of the petition, Cllr Britton said: “They went about it in the wrong way, to be honest. They should have been sat here tonight talking about it as we are.”
Cllr Singleton added: “We do our best as a council for everybody in the parish and certainly the children.”
The council agreed that Cllr Britton will draw up landscaping plans for the former bowling green area, including mapping out paths and concreted areas for the installation of kit.
He concluded: “We will have plans in place by the next meeting and then we can make a start in the autumn, hopefully to be completed in spring next year.”
The council also agreed to talk to officers from Teesdale Local Network about potential additional funds for the scheme once the plans and costings had been finalised.
