RESIDENTS are to have their say on whether a new playground will be built in St John’s.

Colchester Council plans to spend £50,000 on installing a new children’s play area off St John’s Close, but there have been fears it could lead to anti-social behaviour.

Now residents are to be given the chance to have the final say.

Robert Dunston, chairman of St John’s Residents Association, said residents will be asked to complete a survey.

He said: “We want to know if a playground is built, would people like to see it policed?

“Do they want the recreational ground stay as it is?

“These are important questions that we need to know the answers to before we choose to pursue it or not.”

The survey will be available from next month in print and online.

Residents have until June 29 to respond.

The playground would be funded from a grant from the Cory Environmental Trust, for which the residents’ association would have to apply.

Colchester Council has agreed to help make the application if residents want to pursue the project.

If it is given the go ahead, the playground would measure 15 metres by 25 metres, which would include swings, slides, rope mesh, climbing frames and a roundabout.