Plans to build a third play area in Chorleywood Common are unsuitable and unsafe according to a group of neighbours.

Three Rivers District Council recently voted to allow the submission of a planning application for a new children’s play area on the common near Station Approach.

However mum Ellie Kirkman, who has lived in the area for about 10 years, said the richness of local wildlife - which includes badgers, foxes, owls and muntjac deer, all caught on her son's woodland camera tap - make the location wholly unsuitable.

She also said that the two woodland parks built on the parish council-owned common earlier this summer are “absolutely fantastic”, making this new proposal wholly unnecessary.

“They will be taking up an area of the common where there aren’t many people, removing an area of natural beauty and destroying wildlife. There are perfectly adequate facilities already,” said Miss Kirkman.

“They want to chop down the trees - it is horribly sad. They are trying to sanitise play.

“Numerous sites have been offered that are more suitable. I don’t know why they are going for this one when they have been offered others. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Despite the new builds earlier this year, some parents argue that there is still a need for another play area on the common located closer to the town.

However Miss Kirkman disputes this, stating that not many people use that area of the common, and arguing that a lack of parking and disabled access, as well as the site’s proximity to a main road, make the site dangerous as well as unsuitable.

She added: “It’s just going to sit there. I thought people moved to Chorleywood for a piece of the country.

“It’s right on a busy road – it really isn’t safe.”

Three Rivers District Council said it had formally rejected previous plans to locate the new play area on Chorleywood House Estate due to “reasons advised and previously advised to committee”.

Three Rivers District Council said it had formally rejected previous plans to locate the new play area on Chorleywood House Estate due to “reasons advised and previously advised to committee”.

It said it would consult with the public in the coming months, before adding: "Once installed, the play space will be assessed by a Registered Play Inspector to ensure it complied with all Health and Safety requirements."

Watford PCSOs said: "While this location may not be a text book perfect location, I am happy to say that with the necessary details and considerations in place, this location can be made safe and secure enough to be used as a children’s play area.”