MOTHERS in Melksham have condemned a local play area as unsafe for their children to use.

They have protested to Aster Group in Devizes about its failure to cut the grass off Williams Close more than once a year.

Natalie Fouracres, 30, said: “We’ve lived here for five years and in the first two years Aster cut the grass.

“Now they say it’s a nature reserve and because of biodiversity they only cut the grass once a year.

“But I’ve done my research and checked. It’s not listed as a nature reserve.

“They won’t even let us cut the grass ourselves. They say that if we do, we will be in breach of our contracts.”

Jonene Taylor, 26, said the play area was unfit for children to use and was attracting rats.

“We used to see ducks, pheasants and foxes there. Now all we see is an eyesore.

“People fly tip there all the time and there are rats. It’s disgusting and unsafe.”

The mothers have asked Melksham Town Council to help so the children can use the play area during the summer holiday.

Mayor Cllr Adrienne Westbrook, said: “The Melksham Town team of volunteers have offered to cut the grass.

“It beggars belief that Aster won’t even let the residents who live there help to make it look better.”

Aster Group said: “The open space to the north of Williams Close is privately owned.

“Under the conditions of the original planning permission it’s a designated wildlife area.

“Whilst this space isn’t currently a community facility, we recognise that residents are keen to have their say on the things that matter to them, so we’d encourage residents to let us know what they’d like to see the land used for in the future.

“If you’d like to be part of this discussion please get in touch.”