A MAJOR investment in a Tavistock playpark has sparked anger among residents in the area, who say they have not been consulted properly about the scheme.

Residents from Hessary View, Courtlands Road and other nearby housing estates packed a meeting on Tuesday at the town council chambers, to view plans for Courtlands play area in the town. The council has recently scooped a £45,000 grant to provide extra equipment in the park.

The council wants to provide an area for children aged 8 to 13-years-old— predominantly for girls — featuring seating areas where youngsters can socialise, along with innovative climbing frames, swings, slides and seesaws.

The grant funding has been issued by Devon county council's Play Builder scheme, and Tavistock Town Council has invested £5,000 of its own money.

But the move has angered residents, who have said that they had not been consulted over the issue.

They claim it will invade their privacy, cause parking problems, and attract anti-social groups.

Around 50 people attended the meeting, where they lobbied members of the council over the proposals.

Hessary View resident Jamie Henshaw said he had strong concerns over the proposed play park, but is also angry local residents were not consulted adequately.

'I have issues with anti-social behaviour, and also if there is going to be high play equipment, it will affect our privacy as our garden backs right onto the play area.

'I am not against it, it's just what they put in it which I am concerned with — it's the social aspect which concerns me, as in the evening it will attract the older teenagers.

Mr Henshaw said he was not opposed to the playpark, but he did not think the council had thought carefully enough about its proposals.

Two 17-year-old Tavistock College students also attended the meeting.

They were annoyed that an area they used for football could be pushed to the end of the field when the play park is installed.

Pete Robson from Courtlands Close said: 'We feel we are being pushed out.

'About six or seven months ago we were approached and asked what we wanted for the area and for us to have new facilities, and then about three or four months ago they came up with this idea for eight to 13-years-olds — they haven't thought about our age range and didn't listen to our views.

'The central area is used by 12 year olds and over for football, but this play equipment takes up the whole of the area.

'I think it should be in the top part of the park by the toddler area as it's pushing us out.'

Ben James from Treetops said: 'The plans leave us being pushed to the corner. We don't mind that they are accommodating for younger kids, we just don't feel we should be discriminated against.'

After the meeting Tavistock mayor Mandy Govier said that she felt some of the residents' fears had been eased — but she admitted that most of them were still against the play area proposals.

Cllr Govier said: 'The idea of putting the play area in Courtlands was that we felt it was a perfect spot and was an isolated area.

'Most people who attended were mostly unhappy with the lack of consultation in the beginning, but some residents are so against the whole idea.

'We were able to help some people as I could explain to them our ideas, but some people said they preferred it to be in the Meadows, which would not be feasible.'

Under the terms of the grant, the council has around two to three weeks to carry out an on site consultation with the residents.