A new play area is to be installed at a recreation ground in Fareham by the end of this year.

The new area has been designed by the council after a public consultation by Fareham Borough Council.

Thousands of local people were involved, shaping and influencing the designs.

Now, the council wants residents to choose the location of the outdoor pétanque terrain as part of the project's next phase.

The area will be lit two evenings a week to enable play to take place.

Pétanque is a game similar to boules but, rather than being played on a green, it is played on a hard surface.

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The pétanque club play two evenings a week, until 10pm on a Wednesday and 11pm on a Thursday, so will require the courts to be lit during these times.

This lighting will comprise eight LED floodlights directed at the ground.

After robust assessments over the summer by the council, the pitches need to stay in roughly the same position, for drainage, and the new play park needs to be positioned to minimise noise disturbance for local resident.

This leaves two options for the site layout - with the key difference being the location of the pétanque terrain.

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The first, option A, provides additional parking spaces for use by the new community centre, but this means the pétanque terrain and floodlighting is closer to residential properties.

The second, option B, would result in fewer parking spaces close to the community centre but means the pétanque terrain, and associated floodlighting, is partly shielded from residents by the new community centre.

Executive member for leisure and community at Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Connie Hockley, said: “I know this project is really important for local people by the sheer number of people that took the time to help shape our play area which will be delivered by spring 2025.

“We are now seeking comments on the location of the new pétanque terrain, because even if you don’t play the sport, you may have a view on the impact of the floodlighting.”

The consultation is open now and closes at midnight on September 9.