The Chorleywood House Estate is the preferred location for a new play area in the village, the Watford Observer understands.

Chorleywood Parish Council set up a committee to identify the best site for a new play area in Chorleywood.

The group met before Christmas and a site on the grounds of the Chorleywood House Estate has been identified as the preferred site and a site near Shepherds Bridge on Chorleywood Common is the second best option.

Sources revealed the site in Chorleywood House was rated as the best location in nine of the 16 categories being assessed by the committee, but the final decision will be made by Chorleywood Parish Council.

Grove Wood has been removed as a potential site, leaving just three possible locations - two of which are on protected land - Chorleywood Common - and a site on the Chorleywood House Estate which was awarded a Green Flag, recognising it as one of the best parks or open spaces in the country.

The Friends of Chorleywood Common argued both sites there should be dropped, while Chorleywood Mums argue it would be the best place.

The debate over where to build a new play area has dragged on for years.

In October 2013, 13 members of the Chorleywood parish council planning committee voted against a proposed development on The Common while only three members voted in favour of the controversial proposal - despite years of campaigning.

Plans to build a play-area on Chorleywood Common were thrown out due to health and safety concerns.

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