A GROUP of Sale residents are urging council chiefs to upgrade their plans for a play area on their estate.

They say that the proposals are just not good enough and have written letters of complaint to the housing and environment department voicing their disapproval.

Originally the council had approved the plans for a toddlers play area, along with a hard court five-a-side football pitch and an area for older children which was to be based at the rear of Bracken Close in Sale.

But after some residents objected to the closeness of the play area to their homes, housing chiefs decided to change their plans and move the proposed site further away.

In addition, they restricted the amenities to just those for children aged 5-11.

The latest developments have angered householders in nearby Lavender Close who have campaigned for the facilities for some time.

Resident Bob White told SAM: "We were all happy with the original set up and we do understand the concerns of other residents.

"But the whole package is the one that the estate needs to provide kids of all ages with somewhere to go."

Now local resident members of the Manor Avenue Tenants and Residents Association (MATRA) have got together to lobby council officials.

Mr White and neighbour Julie Glossop handed over 70 letters in favour of the original plans to Jo Cole from the housing and environment services department and they were joined by local Labour councillor Kate Harper.

Kate told SAM: "All of the local councillors including Len Murkin, Dave Quayle and myself have attended many meetings with MATRA and spoke to residents personally and agree with them that the estate does need this type of facility."

She added: "Now we have to work together and make the scheme become a reality and one that will suit all local residents."

Council official Jo Cole said: "This is part of the council's half million pound plans for parks across the borough and we will be looking at the plans again to make sure that all the people for whom the area is intended are happy."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.