COUNTY councillors are consulting on the renewal of a play area in Pity Me, near Durham.

The play site outside the Abbey Leisure Centre is decades old and the Durham County Council plans to renew it.

Councillor Mark Wilkes said: “We have been pushing for this site to be renewed for some time now.

“I’m delighted we’ve been provided with three possible options for designs for the site and would really like to hear from local residents particularly those with young children as to which design they would prefer.

“Whilst the play area is designated for under 11s the site is actually directed towards much younger children.”

Councillors have placed a pdf on their local blog at markwilkes.mycouncillor.org.uk and are advertising the consultation on local Facebook pages and asking primary schools in the area to ask for their pupils views too.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood says, “Normally we would have a full consultation event at the site but with the current Covid restrictions this makes it more difficult.

“We actually hope that by promoting this online and through our local schools we will get a good view of what people want and look forward to getting this play area upgraded in the coming months.”

The County Council has set a budget of around £30,000 for the renewal of the site.

Cllr Mamie Simmons adds, “If anyone has any other suggestions we are keen to hear those too.

“We will be in discussions with council officers about any amendments to the scheme once we get views in from local residents and their children.

The site will have significant new safety surfacing and the existing safety fence around the site will

be retained.