WORK can forge ahead on creating a recreational park to serve a new community at Hedge End.

Residents at Dowds Farm, where hundreds of homes have been built, were consulted on plans for a district park covering about 16 acres at the northern end of the development.

Now Eastleigh councillors have given the go ahead for £54,089 from developers’ contributions to be used on linking the new district park to the existing Hackworth Gardens open space.

A dipping platform is to be built at the lake which was created in the summer of 2007. The community will also have a say on the layout of the play and youth facilities. The council’s project manager Dave Bowen says: “The park will be a valuable asset for the entire community.”