STAFF who run an award-winning play area claim they have been robbed of more than £100,000 that could have gone on improvements.

Developers have been granted planning permission to build more than 340 homes in Delves Lane, on the outskirts of Consett.

Delves Lane Community Association is looking for grants to maintain its community-run play area and all-weather sports pitch.

But cash given by the developers to Derwentside District Council for play areas in the village will go on parks elsewhere.

The authority's play strategy aims to create four 'super parks' and eight smaller parks in Derwentside.

Tony Westgarth, community association chairman, said: "It is outrageous.

"Wherever new houses are built, be it Delves Lane, Leadgate, or Blackhill, the money for play areas should be spent in that area - not on the council's super parks.

"We have won various awards, are in the top ten per cent of most deprived areas in the country, and still cannot get any financial support from local government."

Under planning laws, builders creating new estates must either include a play area, or pay £300 per house towards maintaining existing play schemes nearby.

Yuill Homes has planning permission to build 251 properties on land formerly used by the Explorer Group and Elddis Caravans.

The eight-hectare estate will be a mixture of two to five-bedroom homes, with detached, semi-detached and terrace houses.

The firm will hand over £75,600 as a commuted sum towards play areas - but none of it is earmarked for Delves Lane.

The £145,000 park and floodlit all-weather sports pitch next to Delves Lane Village Hall was built in 2000 after a bid to the National Lottery.

It is considered one of the best sites of its kind in the county and was the only play area in the region to win a national Green Pennant award in 2002.

Its future was secured last year when Barratt Homes, which is building 97 houses in the village, donated £32,000.

The developer then had to pay a further £29,000, which was not spent on Delves Lane.

Council leader Alex Watson said: "The Barratts development was only approved on the understanding that Delves Lane would get that money. Our play strategy is crucial for the whole of Derwentside, not just Delves Lane."