THOSE hoping to find out the future of a children’s play park will have to wait a little longer.

Somerset West and Taunton Council was set to discuss the plans to bring a cancer after-care centre on Galmington Playing Fields at a meeting at the end of October.

Former authority Taunton Deane Borough Council approved plans in March for the Maggie’s Cancer Centre to be built on the site of a small children’s play area, featuring little more than two swings.

But the decision has caused issues for the new council as a group of determined residents are fighting against the plans to build on their park, which was left to them as a deed of gift.

The two-storey building would feature a kitchen, exercise room, library and multi-purpose room, and would cater for around 7,500 visits a year. It does not provide medical care for carer patients.

The plans include building a new children’s play area elsewhere at the park.

The Friends of Galmington Playing Fields has stressed the group is not opposed to the building of the new centre, but would like to see a new location found so not to build on the green space.

The council’s members meeting, called by council leader Federica Smith-Roberts, was set to take place on October 29, with the view of bringing the decision to break the covenant to full council in November.

However, the meeting was postponed to allow all parties more time to explore solutions.

A spokesperson for the council has confirmed more meetings and site visits are planned, a fresh dates will be announced in due course.

Andy Sharman, chairman of the Friends group, said: “We felt it would be best if they all had more time to explore alternatives and respond to the questions we have put forward.

“The committee was quite clear we support Maggie’s and their work but we would prefer it if it was sited somewhere more appropriate than our park.

“We have offered all our support in bringing the matter to a positive resolution but it was evident that if we proceeded to a member briefing then onto a vote at full council, it would have been painfully embarrassing for all concerned.

“We’re pleased to report we received news from council CEO James Hassett that Cllr Smith-Roberts had requested the member briefing is postponed to allow all parties more time to explore solutions.

“This is a wise move and we’re thankful to Cllr Smith-Roberts for her consideration of our request.

“While it’s not the outcome we’re all seeking, it does mean that we are finally all talking and hopefully we can work together going forwards.”