A GROUP is being formed in Okehampton to put pressure on West Devon Borough Council to provide better play areas for children on town estates.

Giblands Park resident Clare MacKenzie, who will be at the Big Top Community Day in Okehampton on Saturday to recruit members, is concerned by the growing population of Okehampton children who have nowhere to play.

Her decision to set up a group follows the granting of planning permission for another housing development at Giblands on land previously used as a play area.

'There are 1,078 children in Okehampton under the age of 14, and seven play areas, none of which are large enough for the older ones who want to kick a football around,' she said. 'There needs to be at least half-an-acre where kids can run about in.'

Mrs MacKenzie, who has a one-year-old son, said the borough council was supposed to maintain play areas but she could not see a lot of evidence of this, neither was any play equipment provided.

'I have been around the play areas two or three times and they are very poor with split wood and broken down fencing and cracks in the floor,' she said.

'I would like to see the existing areas made safe and enjoyable for the kids and every new estate with a decent sized play area incorporated into the plans.

'According to the borough council this is something they are looking to put in the new district local plan but I think it is important we keep the pressure on.'

Funding for play equipment is one of the things for which Mrs MacKenzie will be campaigning when the group gets off the ground.

Parents were angry when West Devon Homes got the go-ahead from the borough council's planning committee to build ten houses and four flats on the last green area at Giblands but they were told the land had been designated for housing development for 20 years.

Chief executive of West Devon Homes Stuart Davies said this was the only site which guaranteed affordable housing in Okehampton in the next two years and the need for a play area had to be balanced against the need for housing.

West Devon Borough Council's forward planning officer Chris Dunford said although there was a current policy on open space in residential areas, it was not specific in terms of size but this would change when the new district local plan came into force.

If anyone wants to find out more about the pressure group they should call Mrs MacKenzie on 01837 55366.