COUNCILLORS are going ‘back to the drawing board’ after concerns were raised about plans for a new play area.

Sedgemoor district councillors deferred a decision on whether or not to give the go-ahead for a multi-use games area on land east of Rosa Way at last Tuesday’s development control committee meeting.

Concerns have been raised about the security and accessibility of the site, and at the meeting committee members decided to arrange a site visit to assess those concerns for themselves.

North Petherton town councillor Helen Phillips, who is also part of North Petherton Residents’ Association, said: “We’ve had lots of concerns raised about the plans.

“We have a really big desire for bringing in a new play area and equipment for the children in the area.

“The area they’re suggesting was chosen about 15 years ago and really it’s not the best location.

“The police have raised security issues about the area and it’s not easily supervised, which isn’t good for a children’s play area.

“It’s also really difficult to get to with it being on the edge of the community and is also home to a lot of wildlife.

“We feel there are better locations for the community and we are hoping to provide an area which will benefit both us [North Petherton] and Stockmoor.

“Plans are still being considered and we haven’t decided on an outcome – we are going back to the drawing board.”

North Petherton Mayor Alan Bradford said: “I support the residents’ concerns and I hope, by talking, some of these concerns can be alleviated.”

North Petherton Town Council is set to discuss the play area at its next meeting.