A SUCCESSFUL consultation has been held for plans to give Cavendish Square a much-needed play area.

In 2006 work began on the regeneration of Cavendish Square, which entailed more than 170 new homes being built, a new co-op and an expansion for the library.

Plans also included a play area and a multi-use games area to be shared by the school and community, but until now that part of the plans had not come to fruition.

A consultation event was held at Oak Tree School on Thursday, when members of the public had their chance to have a say on what they want to see on the site.

The project has around £200,000 to spend on the play area, which was left in the pot from the Cavendish Square regeneration.

Plans are only in the early stages but they are aiming to have natural materials such as logs to make up the play area.

Councillor Fay Howard (Lab, Liden, Eldene and Park South) said the consultation event was well-attended and it was something that was desperately needed in the area for young people.

She said: “People were positive about the plans and were saying they wanted to see something going there. It is only in its early stages at the moment but it is going to be different, with more natural materials.

“I think it is important for the area to have something like this for the children to be able to use, and, for the school, that is who we are aiming this at.

“There were a few concerns about the kind of people who may use the play area that we have to think about but it is something that has been welcomed.

“I wish it could be started as soon as possible but I am not sure how long it will take.

“I am very pleased with the response we have had and I am looking forward to seeing what is done.”

More work is still needed on the Cavendish Square redevelopment for it to be completed.

A small shopping mall was originally planned to be built in part of the square, but this was left undeveloped and later surfaced as a car park, due to the financial downturn.