The long wait for a new play area looks set to continue after council officers refused to support plans for the development on the grounds of Chorleywood House Estate.

The debate has dragged on for years and finally looked to be coming to an end when Chorleywood Parish Council agreed to ask the district authority for planning permission for a site near Chorleywood House Estate.

This was despite warnings that the authority may not support the plans.

And it emerged this morning that officers want councillors to reject the parish council’s recommendation.

Instead Three Rivers District Council’s leisure, wellbeing and health committee will be asked to apply for planning permission on Chorleywood Common.

It also suggested using some of the £100,000 to refurbish The Swillet play area.

A report, prepared by acting leisure development manager Kelly Barnard, said: “It is officers’ recommendation that the siting of the play-area on Chorleywood House Estate.

“The new crossing on the busy A404 will be beneficial, but will not support those wishing to walk to Chorleywood House Estate from the main village as there is no pedestrian access, other than across the Common.

“This therefore suggests that people will not walk to the site, but will instead drive. In addition, if they are passing through the Common already, then the siting would be better placed on there.”

“Although this does not replace the need for an additional provision in Chorleywood, it would allow officers to upgrade a play area in need of refurbishment.”