A new play area has been given the final go-ahead by the council.

The Promenade Park Play Area was given the green light by Maldon District Council at a meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee.

Councillors agreed that the £100,000 project at the site of the existing Sensory Garden should go ahead.

Council officers will now work to secure a suitable contractor with the hope that the new facility will be opened in April or May.

In the meeting councillors praised the idea. Councillor Mark Durham said: “I think this is excellent, there is a huge amount of work gone into this and it will be an absolute asset for not only Maldon but for the district as a whole.”

Council leader Wendy Stamp asked if the play area would cater to disabled and special needs children and what security provisions would be in place.

Commercial manager, Steve Butcher explained there would be a number of elements including a swing which will take a wheelchair and safe play for children with special needs.

He went on to say that extra CCTV would be installed to cover the play area.

Councillor Penny Channer suggested a public competition amongst the district would be a good idea to name the new area.

She said: “I have seen it in other areas whereby when we are doing something like this, maybe a competition amongst the general public to name.

“People really find that interesting to know somethings coming but also to be involved so they can have a chance to name that part of the site.”

Councillor Nick Skeens pointed out that the scheme was great for Maldon, but drew their attention to the rest of the district.

He said: “I do need to draw everybody’s attention to the rest of the district, in particular Burnham South which is my ward.

“The more tourism and the more facilities that we can provide across the district, the better, and I do hope that similar schemes will start appearing in Burnham and other outlying areas of the district.

“ “Should councillors choose to support a similar scheme for Burnham-on-Crouch we would be absolutely delighted to provide something like that in the area.”