A PLAYGROUND specially designed for disabled children to enjoy alongside their able-bodied counterparts will soon take shape in Horsforth.

Plans for the purpose-built integrated area at Horsforth Hall Park, Hall Lane, won the backing of Leeds City Council planning bosses last week and work is due to start as early as March.

The scheme was created by the Horsforth Integrated Playground Project (HIPPO), which raised cash to buy specifically designed equipment at a number of special events, including last year's Horsforth Gala.

With the backing of the Friends of Hall Park, who helped HIPPO members find a suitable site, plans were drawn up for the area which will be next to an existing playground.

David Read, chairman of the Friends of Hall Park, said everyone was delighted the bid had been successful. "It's really been a joint effort between HIPPO, ourselves, and the council.

"HIPPO raised quite a lot of money itself, it had backing from various charities to buy equipment, and we found a place within the park for them.

"We hope work will start by the beginning of March because we want it to be set up before the Easter holidays."

Mr Read said the playground could be just the first phase in a series of improvements for disabled youngsters.

"We might extend it eventually to cater for lots of other ideas including a sensory garden and other features that children with different sorts of disabilities could appreciate. We have said we will support that financially," he added.

Members of Leeds City Council's plans west sub-committee welcomed the plan at their meeting last week.

They heard that ten letters of objection had been lodged over increased traffic on Hall Lane, dangers to children on surrounding roads, and extra noise in addition to the existing playground.

A major cause for concern among residents was the likelihood of older youths congregating at the new site, as they did at the existing playground.

But members of the committee agreed that parking was adequate and that the addition of a second play area would not be detrimental to nearby residents.

A spokesman said: "It is precisely where you would expect such a use to be located. The different and varied pieces of play equipment will add visual interest and are something that would not look out of place in a park."

Mr Read said a number of improvements could be in the pipeline for young people in Hall Park. Cash was also raised at Horsforth Gala for a hard-surfaced area which would provide a much-needed space for skateboarders and in-line skaters, he added.

"They've got nowhere to go and set up their things. We want to help them stay off the streets so we're looking to fund this area along with sponsors M D Foods, who have offered £5,000, and ward councillors, who have agreed to put some of their discretionary money in.

"A report is going to the leisure services department at the council and we are quite optimistic that we are going to get that done," he said.

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