£30,000 Dudley play area delayed by drains
A £30,000 children's play area planned as part of a development on the site of a former hospital has been hit with delays over drainage works.
Campaigners say they have been left disappointed after more than two years since work on the Wordsley Hospital took place. They are demanding talks with the developer Persimmon Homes saying the delays on landscaping and creating the play area are unacceptable. The play area was due to be installed by Dudley Council and funded with a £30,000 grant by Persimmon Homes.
It was tabled as part of plans for a 400-home development off Auckland Road, Wordsley.
The house builder has provided around 80 of the homes on the site and the play equipment was set to have included slides and swings.
But delays have occurred due to the installation of drainage systems – which campaigners say has caused problems with water leaking on the land.
Ward councillor Derrick Hemingsley said: "A request was made to Persimmon back in February for an extension to their initial land drainage trench to resolve the drainage problem. I am deeply disappointed and frustrated that this work has not yet been carried out by Persimmon.
"I feel for the local residents as they have been waiting for the land to be landscaped and possibly some play equipment installed for the children that live on the estate.
"I have been campaigning for these works to be carried out for two years now, and this delay is simply not acceptable.
"I hold Persimmon firmly to blame, and am calling for a meeting of their senior directors to meet with me to discuss the resolution to this problem."
Duncan Shaw, technical director at Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: "We always aim to resolve concerns at our developments as swiftly as possible and apologise for the delay on this occasion.
"We were aware of the request for an additional length of drainage trench at the site and can confirm that this work has now been completed.
"Dudley MBC has requested that an interceptor trench is also installed to prevent heavy rain fall from running onto the highway. We can confirm that this work will be undertaken in the coming weeks, enabling the public space to be transferred to Dudley MBC.
"Upon transfer of the land, Dudley MBC will consult with the local residents for the provision of play equipment on the open."
Wordsley Hospital closed in 2005 and work to build homes on the site began in 2011.
