The opening of a much-anticipated play area at Alfreton Park is being held up by legal reasons and issues relating to land next to the site.

Derbyshire County Council says it hopes to resolve the issues as soon as possible and has apologised for the delay in opening the new play area.

The play area – featuring a picnic area, toddler play area and a zip wire – was agreed as part of the council’s plans to rebuild Alfreton Park School.

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The school, for children aged two to 19 years old with special educational needs and disabilities, has since moved into its new purpose-built site elsewhere in Alfreton Park and officially opened in May.

Work on the new play area, located on the former site of Alfreton Park School, was expected to be finished by mid-July.

However, the play area is still not open and it is not known when families are going to be able to access it.

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A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council explained: “We are very disappointed that the play area is not yet open.

“This is partly to do with legal reasons over the ownership of the land, which we are hoping will be resolved soon, and there is an issue with some of the land next to the play area.

“We are doing all we can to get this new play area open as soon as possible and would like to give our apologies to local people who we know are keen to see their families using it.”

Picture credit – Wynne-Williams Associates

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