Play park to be torn down after loss of homes
A COUNCIL is set to demolish a £350,000 play park it built in a housing estate which it then knocked down.
The Teams play area was built in 2010, just one year before Gateshead council announced it was planning to demolish Clasper Village where the expensive play area was.
And now, after years of being abandoned, the play park is set to be demolished as it has fallen into disrepair and become dangerous.
Opponents have hit out at the council over its poor management of resources.
Lib Dem opposition leader Councillor Jonathan Wallace said at the time his party had called on the council to spend money on smaller play equipment dotted across Gateshead, rather than the one expensive park.
Coun Wallace said: “It is frustrating, especially with all the cuts and austerity of the last nine years.
“Although it hadn’t been announced that the Clasper Village would be demolished when the park was built it must have been something the council were aware could have been on the horizon.
“It really is an appalling use of resource at a time when resources are as tight as they are.”
The majority of Clasper Village was demolished in 2015 after Gateshead Council announced plans to move 200 families out of the area and level it after the area became plagued by anti-social behaviour.
However one determined resident, Michael Crossman, remained in his flat until late last year, so the final flats in Clasper Village were only demolished earlier this year.
A spokesperson for the council confirmed that the play park was closed as there were no funds for its upkeep.
They said: “Clasper Towers adventure playground closed some years ago as it had gradually become dangerous for children to use and there were no funds to either repair or maintain it. It has been mothballed ever since.
“Although this whole area is part of a major housing redevelopment, there are presently no proposals or agreed plans for the playground site. Any future housing development on the Clasper Village site will have strict planning conditions imposed to ensure that it incorporates adequate play facilities.”