RESIDENTS of a Cardigan estate have spoken of their concern after a housing association abruptly removed fencing around the estate’s play area.

People living in Maesglas have been embroiled in a long-running dispute with Tai Ceredigion which escalated when the housing association’s application for nine houses on the site was turned down.

Members of The North Cardigan Action and Support Group who campaigned unsuccessfully for the return of swings, a climbing frame and a slide “to safeguard the play area for future generations” also saw their efforts to retain the land by securing village green status quashed at a public inquiry.

Now, in the latest move, Tai Ceredigion has stripped all the fencing around the playground which residents say has been used by the community for the past 60 years or more.

“We all feel that when the equipment was taken out, the children were very upset. While the fencing was still there they had hope,” group secretary Teresa Harries told the Cambrian News.

“Now, when they see it taken away, will they think it’s not going to be replaced? Tai Ceredigion will say the land is theirs to do what they want with, but communication isn’t a lot to ask for – did they inform their tenants?"

A Tai Ceredigion spokesperson said: “We are in the process of removing the old fencing, in order to permit machinery access to dig out the remaining elements of the former play area, which was closed some time ago due to vandalism and a refusal of Cardigan Town Council to take responsibility for a play area which was being used by the whole community and not just tenants."

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