A HOMEOWNER has accused the new BCP Council of being 'cowardly' and using 'steam roller tactics' over the re-siting of a children's play area directly behind her home.

Patricia Storgard is one of six residents of Crofton Close in Christchurch who have signed a letter of protest to the council after work started on the new Endfield Road play area.

The residents claim no one consulted them about the proposals.

"We were told, verbally, by the team measuring up the existing play area earlier this year – only because we made a point of asking – that refurbishment of the existing play area situated by the cemetery would occur in the spring," she said.

"Now, we see the original existing play area has been demolished and a new site, directly behind our gardens, has been excavated, with new equipment in the process of being erected there."

In their letter the residents say: "We fail to see why the original existing play park could not have been widened and refurbished as we were led to believe it would be, by relaying the path round it to accommodate the larger space, thus keeping it backing on to the Scout Hut where it disturbs no one. This option would surely have been far less labour intensive and much more cost effective?"

The letter said the project would not only affect people's daily lives but: "The actual value of our properties, since Crofton Close is known for its quiet peacefulness, and the main reason why people find it attractive to live here."

Mrs Storgard said the sale of her property had fallen through because of it. She also claimed a precedent had been set many years ago by the re-siting of the original play area to its current location because of complaints about disturbance allegedly caused by it behind the Crofton Close houses.

BCP Council's Community and Recreation Team Leader, Gary Foyle, said the original project was agreed by the full Christchurch Council in July last year as a 'toddler specific' area because of the large number of younger families living within the Commons Ward.

"The works are part of a wider refurbishment programme happening across Christchurch play areas as a legacy for the young people and communities within the borough which has been publicised via the local press and council residents magazine at the time that the decision was made," he said. "The local Christchurch councillors supported the works at the time and BCP Council are now completing the programme of works.

"The refurbishment equipment is not bigger than it was previously, and the additional equipment is aimed specifically at toddlers. The area is currently public open space which is available for informal play."

Mrs Storgard vowed to to continue her protest and said she would be contacting local MP Chris Chope.