Youngsters using the play area at St George’s Green in Goole have been asked to let the grass grow under their feet!

The public open space was provided by house builder Peter Ward Homes when the company completed work on the 132-home site five years ago. Since then, they have been trying to cultivate the grass to a standard that would persuade council officials to adopt the site – so far without success.

Regular visits by landscaping experts to put down new seed and top dress the affected areas have yet to bring the lawn up to scratch, but the company is now confident that with the help of local residents their latest plans will succeed.

Award-winning Peter Ward Homes, which last year celebrated its 30th anniversary, is appealing to youngsters to keep off the worst affected area, which has been fenced off, until a stronger turf develops.

Managing director Peter Ward said: “This open space was created for the benefit of local residents and for the time being it is our responsibility to maintain it to a satisfactory standard. Complaints have been made, mostly by one local resident, about the nature of the surface but the cultivation process was delayed when an official from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council instructed us to re-seed the area around a man-hole cover. Prior to that, the grass was coming along nicely.

“In the meantime, all we ask is that the youngsters keep off the treated area and the fence. With a little time and some wet and warm weather, we’ll soon have a lush play park for young and old to enjoy.

“Once the grassed area meets the criteria laid down by the Council we anticipate the authority will formally adopt the site. Only then will the question of additional facilities be considered. The current facilities, basically a netball stand and a hard play surface, were provided by Peter Ward Homes following consultation with the Council’s then leisure and tourism department.

“The scheme selected by the Council did not contain any proposal for a further range of play equipment, contrary to the claims being made by one local resident.

“We hope that with the continued support of local homeowners and some suitable weather we will soon have an attractive public open space that everyone can enjoy.”

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Peter Ward Homes by The Public Relations Company, Suite 7, Hesslewood Business Centre, Ferriby Road, Hessle HU13 0LH. For further information contact Mike Stathers on (01482) 647575 or email mike@tprc.co.uk