SAFETY fears have been raised after a housing association unveiled plans to build a children's play area beside a road and a pumping station.

The new play facility will be opened on the southern edge of a 39-home estate due to be built at Normandy Way, Marchwood.

Children will have to cross the estate's main access road to get from their homes to the swings and roundabouts.

The youngsters' safety was called into question when the layout of the proposed estate was revealed at a meeting of the district council's Planning and Development Control Committee.

Brockenhurst councillor Maureen Holding rejected claims that earlier reservations about the location of the play equipment had been satisfactorily resolved.

Councillor Holding said: "There will be a pumping station on one side and a road on the other."

A report to councillors said police were "a little concerned" about plans to position the play equipment next to a road, but added: "The location is considered normal and appropriate for a development of this nature."

Planning officer Tony Huggett described as "minor" the road that would divide the play area from the houses.

However, Hardley councillor Graham Parkes said he was worried about the danger of

children running out from behind parked cars.

"Cars could park where children are likely to cross from the play area to the housing," he said. "Restrictions on parking near the play equipment would increase safety."

Marchwood councillor Graham Walmsley was worried about cars parking outside existing houses in nearby Adamswood Drive.

He added: "Parking is not adequate and the application should be refused on those grounds."

Representatives from the applicant, East Dorset Housing Association, said the development would make the most of the site and provide an attractive gateway to Marchwood.

The application was approved by a large majority.