THE future use of a piece of wasteland at a Tavistock housing estate came under the spotlight during a meeting in the town last week.

The land is a small wooded area on the north side of Abbotsfield. Tavistock Town Council has received complaints from residents who are concerned that the land is not safe for children to play in, as it is very overgrown, full of 'trip hazards' and is secluded from view.

Members of the council's properties committee last week heard the authority had no formal deeds to the land, but were working with Land Registry on the issue.

Cllr Brian Trew, chairman of the committee, said: 'When we did our Best Value open spaces report, the land was regarded as an open space, it was certainly never regarded as a play area.

'Quite what we do with it, I don't know, the space is a horrible little area, I wouldn't be happy with my kids playing there.'

Cllr Ted Sherrell said as far as he was aware, children in the Abbotsfield area had been playing and making dens in the area 'for decades'.

Works superintendent Wayne Southall said his department checked the area every three to four weeks.

He said: 'We have had problems with fly tipping up there — it's completely inappropriate to be classified as a play park.'

Cllr Debo Sellis said there were many small patches of wasteland areas around the country which were now being used as places to grow produce.

Cllr Robin Pike suggested the council request its agent to value the land and put it up for sale.

Cllr John Sellis said: 'If someone wants to buy it, we should get it valued and try and get it off our hands.

The committee agreed a valuation should be obtained, with a view to selling the area at a future date.