AN INSPECTORATE says it was never contacted to view a children’s play park which has been closed for two years despite developers claiming 'arrangement delays'.
The play park just off Thomas Walk in the multi-million-pound Canford Paddock homes development in Poole has been cordoned off for around two years and left in an overgrown state despite being finished.
Residents living in and around the development off Magna Road questioned why the park had never been opened, describing it as “a facility that attracted so many to the site”.
Following enquiries by the Echo, a construction director at site owner and developer Barratt/David Wilson Homes said the park had been closed “due to delays in inspections that are necessary to ensure the safety of the park”.
They added: “Inspections are carried out by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), but during the pandemic it’s not been possible to arrange for someone to come down the site in as timely a manner as we’d like.”
However, it has since been established that RoSPA “have no record of Barratt Homes contacting [them] for an inspection”.
David Yearly, head of RoSPA play safety, said: “Safe and challenging play spaces are really important for communities. Because of this, we aim to complete all inspections within a week of notification.
“To the best of our knowledge, RoSPA's play safety inspection service haven't been contacted in this instance, but we are ready to process a request for a specialised assessment as soon as we have been instructed.”
Following this, the Echo again approached Barratt/David Wilson Homes where a spokesperson apologised and said they aimed to have the park open within a fortnight.
They said: “We are very sorry for the delay to the play park opening. We are currently completing all the final checks and certification, and are working very hard with partners to provide this much needed facility for residents and neighbours.
“We hope to have this completed and open for use within the next 14 working days.”
Hundreds of homes have been constructed with more still to come at the Canford Paddock development, with many families having already settled into the site built between Canford Magna and Bearwood since 2019.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel