A REVAMP is in the pipeline for an open field in Tavistock's Courtlands Close — but not until residents in the area have had their say.

The field was previously owned by West Devon Borough Council. Now the town council has taken on the area and the authority wants to know how youngsters and adults want the play facilities developed.

Rosie Kehoe, deputy town clerk, said 120 fliers are being distributed to residents in the area, inviting them to a meeting at Courtlands Road playgroup cabin on Monday next week.

Mrs Kehoe said: 'It's one of those situations where we need to be really sensitive. It's a residential area, the place is bordered by people's homes.

'Not everyone has children — we just want a happy marriage. Working with people who live there and are there all the time is the way forward.'

At the moment, there is just a makeshift goal mouth in the field. Possible new equipment could include a basketball hoop with appropriate surface, decent goalposts and something for the younger children, perhaps similar to the adventure trail in the Bannawell Street play area.

Mrs Kehoe said she would like to see lots of youngsters as well as adults at the meeting, to give the play parks committee a real idea of what they wanted.

The council is carrying out a review of play areas in the town and has already sent questionnaires out to playgroups and schools in Tavistock. Residents were asked what they liked and disliked and what they would like to be included in the areas.

'I was extremely pleased — it was very interesting, the response was brilliant,' said Mrs Kehoe.

'Kids themselves don't like their places vandalised, they really don't. Long grass was another thing that came up all the time.'

Other likes included the pleasant, open surroundings of most play areas and the fact the Meadows were central to the town centre.

People didn't like dogs using play areas, broken equipment being left un-repaired and older children using youngsters' equipment.

General suggestions included CCTV coverage, public telephones, lockable security fences to combat vandalism, a covered area for adults accompanying children and numerous requests for bark chippings or safety matting.

The play park scrutiny group, made up of councillors and school representatives, has also met teenagers to find out what facilities they would like.

Mrs Kehoe said: 'We had a meeting down at the school and it was brilliant — their powers of debate really were very good.

'They came up with some interesting things. They wanted a space to chill out, preferably where they could do their own thing and preferably with some sort of roof.'

The consultation between the council and the public on play parks is part of the authority's best value duties — a similar exercise is being carried out regarding Tavistock Town Hall.

The meeting at Courtlands Road playgroup begins at 6.30pm on January 22 — all are welcome.