LLANDOUGH play area at Dochdwy Road could soon be accessible to the public once again, as developers have pledged to pay for a new access point.

The news follows an article in the Penarth Times in July, in which more than 400 residents called for access to the playing fields.

Now Gary Hall, Managing Director of Clearwater Property Company Limited which is set to build on the former Shopping Parade, had said that the company will pay for access.

The company would have been liable to pay money towards the authority on the sale of their first property, but Mr Hall hopes access to the play area can be arranged before then.

He said: "Because of current market conditions, we still don’t have a timescale for the development and it could be some time before this payment is triggered.

"We are therefore keen to make sure that local people are not inconvenienced unduly, and that the play area is accessible to local children.

"We would be willing to work with the Council in regard to the changes needed to the school railings, and would be willing to fund these, to a realistic level, as part of our Section 106 contribution before any development work begins, in order to bring some benefit to the local community."

Mr Hall has also pledged to work with the local action group and the council moving forward.

Phil Beaman, Vale Council operational manager for parks and grounds, has previously said that should funding become available for the refurbishment of play facilities, then works will be undertaken to improve play opportunities in the area.