QUESTIONS have been raised asking why a 'tired' playground close to the Last Drop Village development will not be upgraded to cater for the increased number of children.

Jones Homes gained permission for the 98-dwelling build at the hotel and spa in Bromley Cross in June.

As part of the development, the council’s director of place, Stephen Young, secured a Section 106 agreement — a deal struck between local authorities and developers to ensure developments do not have a negative impact on the surrounding area.

Under the agreement, £84,294 will go towards improvements to the play area in Little Brow.

But according to parent David Wilson, of Horseshoe Lane, the playground in Stonesteads Drive near Eagley Infants School is closer to the development and looking 'tired'.

In a letter he said: "I am a local resident/parent, and have a query about the playground development as part of the open space development with regard to the planning of the Last Drop Village housing development.

"According to the official documents, the playground identified for upgrading is at Little Brow, off Darwen Road. I am writing as there is a playground much closer to the planned development, facing Eagley Infant School in Stonesteads Drive.

"It is a tired looking playground in need of modernisation, and given that the local school will have an inevitable increase in numbers, as well as the local community, could Jones Homes make a contribution to this modernisation in liaison with Bolton Council?

"There is going to be a significant increase in local traffic with this development at the Last Drop and our local children, more than ever, need a safe, modern, well maintained playground to enjoy."

Both Bolton Council and Jones Homes have been contacted for a response to Mr Wilson's concerns.

Jones Homes will contribute around £373,000 towards local schools — £182,500 of which will go to Walmsley CE Primary School, and £190,500 to Turton School - to account for the expected increase in pupil numbers

Forty-one of the properties at the Last Drop would be sold on the open market and eight would be bungalows for social rent.

The decision to approve the plans was taken despite more than 660 letters of objection in a bid to stop the scheme from going ahead.