Victory in battle for kids' park
Matt Meade • Published 27 Sep 2012 16:55
1 Comment
IT'S playtime for delighted kids in a Rosyth housing scheme - after a four-year battle.
They will soon by swinging and sliding at two play parks in the Miller Homes development off Primrose Lane after plans for landscaping were crushed by councillors.
It brings to an end an issue that has divided residents in the scheme since 2008.
Some were furious when their neighbours objected to plans to build the play areas in favour of landscaping. That led to Miller Homes agreeing to dump plans for the parks.
They protested and last week were celebrating when members of the South West Fife area committee refused a planning application to replace play areas.
Much of the campaigning for the installation of the parks was carried out by neighbours Charline Smith and Angela Ramsey.
Mum-of-three Charline, of Caledonia Court, said, "It's fantastic that we've won.
"Children were playing on the roads and the medical centre but now they've got their parks.
"We've been fighting for this for so long and we've finally got justice. The kids around here range from three to 13 and they are fantastic.
"A lot of the neighbours just want peace and quiet and are constantly shouting at them and threatening them with police.
"Maybe they don't want a playpark but that's what was on the plans when they bought their house."
Miller Homes submitted the planning application following a meeting of the Residents' Association who voted to replace the play parks with landscaping.
A planning application for landscaping was submitted to Fife Council.
But more than 50 objections to the proposal were received, mostly from those who had not attended the Residents' Association meeting.
Their objections included people having bought their homes on the understanding there would be play areas and that children had to play on the roads.
A total of 13 letters favoured the proposal. They objected to the play parks on issues including noise and anti-social behaviour.
A council report recommended that members of the South West Fife area committee refused the application for landscaping as playparks were seen as "fundamental" to the area, which has 86 houses.
The report, by Darren O'Hare, stated, "These play parks are considered to be an integral function of the layout of this residential area.
"Therefore the introduction of the play equipment within these areas of open space would be consistent with the aims and objectives of the development plan."
A spokesperson for Miller Homes confirmed the playparks would be built.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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ItsErnie
197 posts
Sep 30, 12:23
Report commentAn outstanding result - well done the parents - roads are no longer safe play areas for children.
It would have been outrageous if the Nimby faction (who bought their houses knowing the plans full well) were able to push through their selfish idea.
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