A HUNCOAT councillor has defended the removal of play equipment in the area and said new plans for a ‘garden village’ could help ease people’s worries.

A total of 141 people backed a petition to reinstate a children’s play area after it was removed off Station Road.

The nearest play facilities are in Bolton Road, which some parents feel are ‘too far’.

However Cllr Eamonn Higgins, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, has defended the move and thinks plans for the former power station could help compensate for the loss.

He said: “It’s part of the council’s strategy to centralise play areas.

“The facilities have been there for around 20 years and to replace it would be about £100,000, we feel it wouldn’t be worthwhile.

“Obviously some residents aren’t happy with the plans and are worried and I understand that.

“There are some plans in the pipeline for the power station site and that garden village site could see a play area amongst a great deal of new buildings.”

Up to 2,000 new homes could also be built around the former power station after the area was granted ‘housing zone’ status by the government.

The status gives the council access to an £18million government fund for planning work.