A RETROSPECTIVE planning application for temporary fencing around a Menstrie play park should be refused, according to a council officer.

As reported last week, the play park at Rowan Crescent was fenced off by the owner of the land earlier this year with a retrospective planning application recently submitted to Clackmannanshire Council.

It has drawn more than a dozen objections from neighbouring residents and came after earlier attempts by developers to build houses on the grounds.

The local authority's landscape design officer has since issued his comments on the application to erect a fence around the park.

The Advertiser understands the original reason for the fencing is that play equipment was to be repaired and the park had to be closed for safety reasons.

The officer made clear the application should be refused, a recommendation which is likely to be tabled for the Planning Committee.

In written comments, the landscape design officer said: "The amenity land and play park were approved as part of the planned development of West Myretoun, and therefore part of an agreed development strategy.

"I am concerned that the proposal is to close the park off for two years when repairs to play equipment and safety surfacing can be carried out within 12 weeks and there is no details as to what happens after the two years."

Some residents have also accused the developer of looking to wear down opposition against future housing applications there.

The council officer added: "If the play equipment and/or the play surface requires repaired then it should be possible to fence off only the equipment rather than the whole site until the repairs can be carried out.

"There are currently only four accessible play areas within Menstrie, therefore the removal of one of these sites, even temporary, will reduce provision by 25 per cent.

"The closure of this play area would require children to cross the Menstrie Distributor Road to access the nearest play area."

Further objections have also been lodged since.

Mr Ian Mailer said: "The current location of the fencing stops pedestrians from accessing the main footpath at this point of Rowan Crescent."

He added: "As a member of the Menstrie Mains Residents' Association, communications were had with the owner where he stated he was happy to relocate the fence to block off the 'dangerous' equipment in the park.

"This would have provided a temporary solution to allow the play equipment to be repaired or removed whilst the park and access remained open and the area tidied up – this was around 10 weeks ago and he has clearly not bothered and subsequently issued this planning application."

The applicant and owner of the site was previously contacted for comment, referred the Advertiser to his planning consultant, but neither gave a statement.