Dickens Heath residents are increasingly frustrated that the village playground has been closed for more than two months.

The facilities were shut to the public during the summer due to health and safety concerns about the state of some of the equipment.

It's understood that the required repairs are not being considered a priority because of the work needed at a number of homes in the village, due in part to recent flooding.

While Dickens Heath Parish Council has previously expressed an interest in buying the playground, for which property firm Savills is currently the managing agent, attempts to broker a deal are yet to bear fruit.

Dickens Heath Playground, in Dickens Heath.
Dickens Heath Playground, in Dickens Heath.

Cllr Ken Hawkins (Con, Blythe) said the site had previously been shut for several months towards the end of last year and he was keen to see a deal done for the sake of local families - who are already concerned that there is little for local children to do.

"The residents of Dickens Heath have been very tolerant and it's important now that their voice is heard," he said.

"The time is now to get things changed for the better."

He argued the damage reported to the floor surface was relatively minor, which made the current situation all the more frustrating.

Stevie Tye, the owner of the nearby Blossoms Pre-School and Nursery, said that the facility was popular with youngsters and noted a number of properties in the village didn't have gardens of their own.

"It's a shame it's closed, particularly with the good weather we had during the summer. [When it's open] I would say we use it at least once a week.

"We've got a lovely nature reserve we can go to but there's no equipment there."

Meriden's MP, Dame Caroline Spelman, has also been pressing for the matter to be resolved, but the situation is complicated by arrangements put in place several years ago.

Savills was made responsible for various assets, including the play area, after Parkridge Holdings, the village's developer, went into administration in 2011.

The company's collapse has led to considerable confusion about who is responsible for certain services, as well as difficulties trying to keep on top of maintenance work.

During the summer, the parish council reiterated it would like to negotiate the playground's purchase but their enquiries hit a brick wall.

A statement on its website said: "We are very sorry that the playground is out of action, but it is a really complicated situation."

Cllr Hawkins is now hoping a meeting can be arranged, with help from Solihull Council's legal team, to finally move things forward.

He said it made little sense for the play area to remain Savills' responsibility, arguing it was only an asset "on paper".

A Savills spokesperson said: "As the managing agent for the playground in Dickens Heath village, Savills can confirm that plans for bringing it back into use are currently in discussion.

"In the meantime the playground remains closed for health and safety reasons."