A CHILDREN’S play area could be built on derelict land in Kearsley.

Designs have been drawn up for the proposed site in Mossfield Road, which will include a multi-purpose sports area, picnic area, grass paths and a natural play area.

The site is expected to take about two years to complete and could cost around £50,000.

Community Interest Company Profitts will write a bid for the proposals, while a grant of £4,000 has been provided by Community First, a Bolton at Home initiative which funds neighbourhood projects across the borough.

It will go towards supporting the initial stages of redevelopment, including a clear-up of the land which has already begun.

Additional grants will be provided by The National Lottery.

Chris Wood, community development officer at Bolton at Home, went ahead with the plans after receiving responses to a Bolton at Home questionnaire which asked Mossfield Road residents what should be done with the land.

He said: “I’m really optimistic about these plans.

“I think there’s a real need for a safe place for children to play that brings the community together.

“The land has been a bit of an eyesore for quite a long time and the consensus of people we spoke to was there was a lack of safe places for kids to play.

“I think the redevelopment is a good thing and the space is there to be used by the community.”

An action group made up of 15 people has also been set up.

A similar redevelopment was recently completed at Daisy Dell, in Deane, where disused land was transformed into an outdoor community space featuring trees and fruit bushes.