Nerrols Grange/Northwalls Grange play area on Batt Drive opens

The play area, near the Northwalls Grange and Nerrols Grange development site in Taunton, was supposed to be complete in December 2019, alongside all the roads in Phase 1 of the development.

The play area, on Batt Drive, opened at the end of May this year, but then closed again after a problem with the turf.

Finally, the park opened for good on June 3 2021.

And while residents in the area are now happy the play park has opened, many were outraged at the delay.

Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) received a planning enforcement complaint in February 2020 about the delay in completing the park.

"The council received a planning enforcement complaint in February 2020 about the failure to provide the play park on this site in time," said Cllr Mike Rigby, executive member for planning at SWT.

"Since receipt of the complaint the council has been proactively pursuing compliance with the developer but unfortunately there have been some unavoidable delays resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and ground conditions.

"Following regular communication the developer confirmed in April 2021 that the play area would be completed in the next 2-3 weeks.

"However, an independent inspection was carried out in early May which concluded that the turf still needed time to bed in so could not be used. The developer hoped the area would be open ready for use by the May bank holiday and half term break.

"The park was initially opened on Friday, May 28 2021 but unfortunately was closed shortly after due to a problem with the turf, and was reopened on June 3 2021."

And residents are still unhappy about the state of the roads in the area. But Barratt and David Wilson Homes has said they are working to 'get these finished as quickly as possible'.

One said: "Everything is very slow on the estate. And it is like a warzone, with waste and dust left everywhere.

"The roads are not finished and there are no dipped kerbs, so it is difficult for disabled people and people with pushchairs to get around."

Developers, Barratt and David Wilson Homes have apologised for the delays to the park and roads.

James Dune, managing director for the South West, said: “We are sorry for the delays to the opening of the play area. We are pleased that it is now re-opened and we will be carrying out some ongoing works to ensure the space is a pleasant environment for everyone to enjoy.

“We apologise that the works to the road network at Nerrols Grange are not yet complete, though we are progressing well on this front with a large portion of surfacing recently finished.

"We are working closely with our contractor, Tithegrove, to get these finished as quickly as possible.”