County reveal children's play area shortage; Over half will need to be replaced in next decade.

Byline: STEVE BAGNALL

the 88 children's play equipped areas were in very good or good physical condition. But 54 of the 88 will need replacing in 10 or more years time.

The study also showed 58 of the 74 playing fields were highly accessible, located predominantly within Wrexham town and the western villages. Mr Isted said he was keen the findings to be incorporated in future development plans for the county.

He wants the council to adopt the six-acre per 1,000 population FiT standard.

He said this was in order: "To ensure the council takes a consistent and co-ordinated approach to the future, strategy, design, management and maintenance of public open space in order to meet the needs of all communities in the county borough."

[e-mail] A GAPING hole in the provision of playing fields and sports areas across a North Wales county has been uncovered.

A survey of facilities by Wrexham County Borough Council found nearly all community council areas were not providing enough outdoor facilities for the public to enjoy.

A total of 33 of 35 community councils lacked enough equipped children's playgrounds, 31 of 35 were short of playing fields and nearly and all had insufficient outdoor sports facilities.

Wrexham County Borough Council chiefs are recommending adopting a new policy standard to ensure the situation is put right.

They say they recognise the important role such facilities can play in improving a community's appearance and health.

In a report Wrexham County Borough Council's chief planning officer Lawrence Isted said: "Public Lawrence Open Space can make an important contribution to people's quality of life by providing opportunities for recreation, physical activity and healthy living and by being a 'green lung' in a built up area.

"There may be deficits and surpluses of POS in some areas and it can vary significantly in terms of its quality and accessibility to the public." The criteria for the survey was based on the national standards published in 2008 by the Fields in Trust, formerly the National Playing Fields Association.

Its findings showed a mixed performance across a range of yardsticks, including closeness to other facilities and visual appearance.

In terms of quality, 46 of Isted

CAPTION(S):

Lawrence Isted