CHILDREN are celebrating after local councillors announced plans to invest tens of thousands of pounds on a new play area.

The play park at Hart Common, Westhoughton, was removed earlier this year after health and safety concerns.

And Bolton Council told residents it would not be replaced because “the age profile shows that Hart Common does not support the replacement of play equipment.”

But Anna-Marie Watters, chairman of Hart Common residents’ association, argued the need for a play area. She counted 72 children living in the area with another 36 visiting relatives regularly. More than 100 people signed a petition asking for a new play area to be built.

And now Westhoughton’s six councillors on Bolton Council, have found a way to invest £85,000 on the playground — by using Section 106 money, which is cash paid by developers to provide local amenities when they build new developments.

Westhoughton currently has £573,315 of Section 106 money.

Cllr David Wilkinson, who represents Westhoughton South on Bolton Council, said: “All the members were unhappy about the decision, as were members of the public, and we realised we had to do something about it. I’m pleased we were able to get this sorted for them.”

Consultation with children and their parents about the type of playground they would like will start early in the new year, and it is hoped work will start in the spring.

Mrs Watters said: “I am absolutely delighted. It has been an extremely long process but it does show residents’ associations work and communities can work together to make a difference.”

The Mayor of Westhoughton and Westhoughton South councillor David Chadwick helped the local residents in their campaign. He said: “I have been trying to get it replaced for almost a year now and am delighted we will be able to install a new playground for them.”