Cramlington residents raise fears over ‘dangerous’ play park on Fairway Development
Residents on a housing estate in Cramlington have branded a new playpark as ‘dangerous’ in a local survey.
Homeowners on Bellway/Persimmon Homes’ Fairways development voiced their concerns following the installation of the park earlier this year.
The park was promised by developers as a condition of planning permission when the estate opened in 2022 - but residents claim the area is not safe for use due to muddy conditions, dog waste and an overflowing bin.
Bellway and Persimmon say the park is incomplete and “not yet open to the public”.
Resident Catherine Muckle said: “Parents were sharing pictures of the park back in February.
"At first, I thought due to bad weather, they couldn’t finish it, but as the weather started to warm up, it stayed the same.
“The bin is overflowing to the point there is poo bags on the floor and it is just disgusting.
She added: "Because nobody knows who is responsible for the maintenance of the park, nobody knows who is responsible if a child hurts themselves.”
Catherine decided to put out an anonymous survey to try and prompt some action from developers.
The survey asked neighbours if they had used the park, their experiences, and for any for any improvements they’d like to see.
All 25 responses came back negative – with some calling the park ‘very dangerous’, ‘a mess’ and one saying their children tripped due to uneven ground.
Fencing was then put up around the park on Monday, May 4.
Catherine added: "They’ve now put up fencing and removed wooden blocks and spikes from the ground so hopefully they are listening.
"It was a massive health and safety concern.”
A spokesperson for Bellway and Persimmon said: “The park area is still under construction and is not yet open to the public.
“Fencing has been erected around the play park and we would continue to ask residents not to access the area.”
They added: “Outstanding landscaping and seeding works will be completed in due course ahead of the play park opening for public use in the coming months."
Cramlington Town Council says it is aware of the condition of the park and will contact Northumberland County Council to establish the possibility of enforcement action being taken under the terms of the planning approval.