Approved plans for a children’s play area in Lonan have been upheld at appeal.

Garff Commissioners were given the green light (17/00969/B) to install children’s playground equipment for two- to 12 year-olds in public open space in Church Close in November.

But Church Close resident Chris Douglas submitted an objection, citing ’noise’ and ’privacy’.

Independent planning inspector Brian Sims said: ’Evidence that the proposal would make the optimum contribution to the significant identified need for play equipment adds to the case for the original approval to be upheld.’

In his statement to planners when the bid was being determined, he said play areas ’should be placed where safety and adequate parking is available and not in close proximity to residential developments.’

He added: ’This is a quiet, serene close where young children play happily both on the road and in the grass area. This area is lovely for the residents as it is. Why change it?’

Planning inspector Mr Sims said the proposed play equipment would comply with legal requirements to respect the surrounding area in siting, layout, form and design and to avoid adverse impact on local amenity, parking and highway safety.

He said it would also encourage the provision of children’s play facilities.

In their bid, Garff Commissioners explained the proposal was submitted after being contacted by several residents in Lonan concerned about the lack of facilities for young people and that Church Close is within the largest area of residential development in Lonan.

Garff Commissioners considered Lonan, as a whole, for possible play area locations before deciding the proposal site in Church Road as offering the best location.