HOPE is on the horizon for the restoration a much-loved Prudhoe play park which was suddenly destroyed last month.

Residents reacted with horror when the children’s play park at Castlefields estate was dismantled and taken away in November.

Contractors from landowner Bellway Homes had moved in without warning to tear up the under-fives play equipment.

Defending the decision, Bellway said it had fulfilled its obligation to establish the play area which was meant to be adopted by what was then Tynedale District Council.

However since then, Northumberland Council has not adopted any open space.

The landowner claimed that following an inspection, the equipment was considered unsafe and after discussions with the county council in August, it was agreed to remove the park.

But Northumberland County Council stated that although Bellway Homes was not breaking the original planning condition, no official agreement had been reached.

Both Bellway Homes and the local authority were criticised for a lack of public consultation over the decision to remove a public amenity.

However, a month on from the controversy, discussions are now ongoing to work towards reinstating the park at Castlefields.

MP for Hexham Guy Opperman says that both Bellway Homes and Persimmon Homes, the second developer behind Castlefields estate, have agreed in principle to support the reinstatement of the play area.

He says the deal is subject to agreement from Prudhoe Town Council to adopt the play area.

Bellway Homes has not responded to a request from the Hexham Courant to comment on the situation.

However Prudhoe Town Council is currently arranging a meeting with Bellway Homes and Northumberland County Council to discuss the future of the play park.

Before the play area was taken down, the town council had been looking into the possibility of adopting the land and says that is still an option .

Mayor of Prudhoe, Coun. Jennifer McGee said: “Once we meet with the county council and Bellway and find out what they’re going to do and when, that will inform the decision.”