FRUSTRATED residents have been left with a new play area they cannot use.

The play park on the New Braiswick Park estate, in Bergholt Road, Colchester, was installed about two years ago, but is still fenced off.

Pleas to developer Persimmon Homes to open the play area appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

Nicholas Pearkes, 33, of Axial Drive, New Braiswick Park, said: “We thought it was going to be opened last summer.

“Colchester’s MP, Sir Bob Russell, was set to open it, along with a sculpture, and there was quite a lot of hype about it.”

“It has reached the stage where there are so many comments about the issue and it has been going on so long, we are going to have to do something.

“It is not fair for people. We don’t have children, but those who do are getting frustrated.

“It looks complete. If you get a nice sunny weekend and a screaming five-year-old, you would want to take them there.”

The play area, at the corner of Fan Avenue and Apprentice Drive, has equipment designed for toddlers.

Mr Pearkes said he understood the developers were obliged to provide the community with the play area as part of a planning agreement.

He added: “Residents have contacted them a number of times and they usually get a response and a date for when it will open and then the date passes and there is no communication.

“I’m sure when people ventured into the sales office here with children they were told there would be a play area.

“If it was going to be a few years until they opened it, they needed to make it clear.”

Duncan Jackson, managing director of Persimmon Homes Essex, said: “We are in negotiation with Colchester Council to gain approval for an amendment to the play area in order to make it safe for public use.”