HOPES have been dashed of small play parks in Peebles being saved from closure.

Six parks will be decommissioned in order to pay for the maintenance of the new state-of-the-art play facilities currently being erected in Victoria Park.

The town’s community council offered to help residents who wanted to save the play parks which are to be re-purposed as community spaces. Proposals include a natural play park – developed by Borders Woodland Trust – and a small wheels park.

Following a plea to the public, community council chairman Les Turnbull was contacted by two groups of residents who expressed an interest in saving the parks in their area.

Mr Turnbull said it would not be appropriate to publicise personal details of the residents at the public meeting, but he agreed to pass their information on to the Tweeddale councillors.

However, following discussions with the two separate residents’ associations, one group is happy with what is being proposed by Scottish Borders Council, and the second group are in discussions with officers to see how they can progress the play park in their area.

Mr Turnbull added: “The bottom line is we, the community council, had been hoping that groups might have come forward to save the various small play parks in the town and we could have helped them. 

"However, this hasn’t materialised so I think for the time being we have taken this as far as we can and we’ll wait and see how it develops. 

“Of course, as ever, if people do have concerns they can come back to us and we will take it up on their behalf again.”

Peebles Community Trust chairman Lawrie Hayworth said: “I’m sure if there are any insurance or legal agreements required, resident groups could approach the Community Trust with regard to operating within that umbrella, if that helps facilitate it going forward driven by them.”