A NEW playground has been announced for Culcheth, following cries for a new community development.

Local councillors have even gone as far as saying: "The children of Culcheth have been waiting far too long for a decent replacement playground and deserve a playground that is fit for future generations to come."

Members of the parish council have admitted that the development has taken longer to green-light than they would have liked, with Cllr Pete Holmes saying: "The Parish Council acknowledges that this has taken longer than anticipated, due to myriad reasons."

However, not all local councillors are overjoyed by the announcement.

Three local Conservative councillors have said that although the development is positive, it is less than the children of Culcheth deserve.

According to the three councillors - Wendy Maisey, Carol Benson and Val Allen - there was actually a lot more money promised by Warrington Borough Council for the project.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, the Conservatives said: "While any funding offered by the Warrington Borough Council is welcome, it is disappointing that the funding that was promised has already been cut by half.

"This was an ideal opportunity for all parish and borough councillors to work together to maximise funding and to get the best possible play equipment for the children of Culcheth."

The councillors go on to say that although the council pledged a contribution of £72,000 to the playground development on Culcheth Green, the figure initially promised to them was much higher.

In a statement released to the Warrington Guardian, the Conservative councillors say the figure actually promised by Warrington Borough Council was in the region of £140,000.

The statement reads: "Conservative borough councillors were asked by Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council to speak to Warrington Borough Council on their behalf, as the parish had hit a stalemate and was getting nowhere with the council.

"After several representations, Conservative borough councillors were initially promised £140k match funding by Warrington Borough Council."

Furthermore, the statement added: "Last week, after a period of silence, we were notified that only £72,000 would be made available to supplement the money allocated by the parish council.

"This is a funding cut and yet another example of Labour giving with one hand and taking with another."

Cllrs Maisey, Benson and Allen added: "All of this results in Culcheth being awarded less than we are due, and we risk a playground being developed that is not fit for purpose.

"Labour councillors should stop settling for second best and join local Conservatives in demanding that full match funding is reinstated."