A petition has been launched calling on Aberdeenshire Council to rethink their decision to axe plans for a play park near a new £12.7million sports complex.
Last week, it emerged the local authority had dropped plans for the play area next to Myrus Sports Complex in Banff.
The decision was based on safety concerns, after it was discovered the park would need to be built near a car park and access road.
A war of words broke out between local councillors, with Hamish Patridge criticising the move and Mark Findlater – who is also a member of the local safety group – insisting the safety of children was paramount.
Mr Findlater, who represents Troup, assured parents the play equipment would be relocated, after a fresh consultation.
But disappointed parents have rallied together to call for the local authority to stick with their plans to build the park at Myrus.
Local woman Kim Adams’ call to action has been signed by more than 600 people since going live on Wednesday.
Telling the council that parents are “fed up being led down the garden path”, she said: “Let us as a community stand up and be heard as parents, residents, groups, teams.”
Allan Whyte, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of property, has meanwhile assured parents the play provision “will not be lost”.
It is currently proposed that equipment at Macduff Primary School will instead be upgraded to meet the needs of local children and young people.
Last night, Mr Partridge branded the plan “completely unacceptable”.
“To suggest that the school playground and equipment is opened to the public 24/7 is completely ridiculous,” he said.
“Children are at school and to open up the grounds could put them at risk.
“The parents, friends and community raised money to upgrade the play equipment at the school and this is nothing but a slap in the face for all their hard work fundraising.”
