PLANS to restore a play park in Rishton have been scrapped.

The land off Albert Street, which used to be a children’s play area, was earmarked for redevelopment after the council land asset review earlier this year.

But councillors now deem the scheme ‘unfeasible’ and are set to get rid of the land.

Rishton councillor Ken Moss said: “It used to be a park years ago but it has not been a play park for more than a decade.

“We looked at bringing it back into use but after speaking to council officers, it’s just not feasible, so we are looking to get rid of that land.” He said: “I can’t deny it would be lovely to have more parks. The obvious spot would be somewhere like Holt Street. There aren’t many play spaces in lower Rishton.”

Coun Moss said that although there are no play areas planned, council officers have now agreed to work with local councillors to find sufficient funding to have more parks. The portfolio holder for leisure at Hyndburn Council, Coun Ciaran Wells, said: “If it is not feasible then it is not feasible, but that does not mean we are not looking to provide some top quality parks. But it has to be suitable and in the right place.”

Chair of the Rishton Residents’ Association, Jackie Waring, said that any money made from the land’s sale should go towards play facilities elsewhere in Rishton.

She said: “There’s a very big housing estate behind there.

“So even though it has not been used for some time, it’s not to say it is not needed.

Plans to install a skate park in Cutwood Park will now be presented to resdents at a meeting in November.

Coun Clare Pritchard said: “It was going to be in Holt Street, But we faced objections.”