Residents in a Cornton housing estate have accused a housing developer of dragging their heels over upgrading a playpark and transferring vital green space to the community.
The playpark was built on the Westhaugh estate in 2011, with a Section 75 agreement drawn up between Stirling Council and Stewart Milne Homes over facilities in the area.
But residents claim it has not been maintained since, leaving it in a poor condition, unsafe to use.
Following pressure on Stewart Milne, it was agreed between the developers and the council to commit to a safety review of the playpark.
The developer has since confirmed that the inspection report of the park was received on May 26, but residents claim so far there seems to be no commitment to a joint inspection with the council to agree on a way forward.
Resident Crispin Bennett said: “The council did an independent review of the playpark, but Stewart Milne are sitting on that review.
“The playpark is just not safe, the matting is ripped and the wooden structures are rotting away; Stewart Milne received that report on May 26 and were to be arranging a joint inspection within two weeks but as far as I’m aware, there has been no progress.
“There is no reason really why they can’t just deal with this playpark issue.”
Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell has also been applying pressure over the playpark works.
He said: “The local community have been sent round the houses trying to find a solution to this problem.
“We’ve called on the developer to get folk round the table to find a way forward, and I was glad to see this happen. But we now need to see concrete action to finally get a resolution.
“We have serious concerns about the safety of children using the unsafe play park. It’s unacceptable for the developer to sit on an independent report of required works prior to the transfer of ownership to Stirling Council.
“The community need more than empty promises – there’s no excuse for any further delay, and the transfer must happen as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, another ongoing issue concerning the transferring of green space around the estate has also become a long-running sore for locals.
Residents wish to take on the areas for maintenance and have been given the nod by Stewart Milne to do so, but the residents’ factor for the area, Greenbelt, are waiting for final approval from Stewart Milne over the switch.
Stirling North Conservative councillor Rachel Nunn has been involved in trying to bring all sides around the table.
Ms Nunn said: “It seems incredible to me, and certainly frustrating for Westhaugh residents, that the resolution for the maintenance of remaining chunks of land is still outstanding.
“I have written to both Stewart Milne and Greenbelt to articulate the position as I understand it, a position which seems clear and relatively straightforward.
“I have urged both parties to take the necessary steps to move beyond this impasse, and if necessary, I will ask for a meeting with decision-makers.”
A Stewart Milne spokesperson said: “We understand residents’ frustration over this situation and are continuing to work with Stirling Council to bring this to a positive conclusion as quickly as possible.
“We remain in dialogue with the council to resolve the necessary repairs and ongoing maintenance of the play park and an on-site meeting has been arranged, with the aim of bringing this matter to a close.
“Responsibility for upkeep of the open greenspace continues to lie with residents, in line with the Deed of Conditions for the Westhaugh development.”
