A controversial playground is a step closer to being built after a council has voted in favour of applying for planning permission.

The Three Rivers District Council’s leisure, wellbeing and health committee last night voted to apply for permission to build a new playground on Chorleywood Common.

There have been years of negotiations between the district council, campaign groups and the parish council.

Chorleywood Parish Council said the district council has been “disrespectful” and “heavy handed” in their approach.

Parish councillor Tony Edwards said: “We consider the district council’s somewhat heavy handed approach both disrespectful and a total disregard for all the work undertaken by the parish council, its advisory committee and the numerous experts who have contributed to this debate.

“The issue of a play area on the Common has been rejected by the parish council twice in recent years on ecological and safety grounds.

“One possible site on the Common is considered to be unsafe by both RoSPA and the play safety company commissioned by the district council but they appear to be prepared to ignore this professional advice.”

Councillor Chris Lloyd, Three Rivers’ lead member for leisure, community and wellbeing, said: “After years of discussion and debate I believe we owe it to the children to provide a play area that is within safe walking distance of the village.

“We aim to work in partnership with the parish council, the county councillor and local parents and children to provide this play area, which the youngsters desperately need.”

County councillor Chris Hayward, also supported the decision.

He said: “As the local county councillor I have strongly urged district councillors to support the officers’ recommendation to site the play area on Chorleywood Common and not on the Chorleywood House Estate as proposed by the local parish council.

“This has been a long running debate and I firmly believe that our next generation should be able to share in the enjoyment and use of the common and that the Chorleywood House Estate is too far away from the centre of our village to be a suitable location for this facility anyway.”

Chorleywood parish council, who owns the land, has rejected the play area plan twice in previous years. It was thrown out due to health and safety concerns. They proposed that the play area be built on Chorleywood House Estate instead, but district councillors rejected the proposal.

The campaign group, Friends of Chorleywood Common, has also voiced concern that the play area will only be accessible via car or by crossing a busy main road if it is built on The Common. They said that a play area will spoil the natural beauty of the reserve and lead to further development.

However, the decision was welcomed by the campaign group, Chorleywood Mums.

Simone Tyson, from Chorleywood Mums, said: "We are pleased that the council has listened to the views of Chorleywood parents and residents.

“Now an independent, impartial decision can be taken by the planning professionals, none of whom have any vested interests.

“The debate on this started a very long time ago and it will be good to get a definitive answer.”

More than £100,000 of funding is being made available to build the play area by the district council. The plans will include equipment which is designed for children with a disability.

Residents and local groups will have the opportunity to comment on plans before a final decision is made.

There are two possible sites for the play area on Chorleywood Common.