RESIDENTS in Hatch Warren have voiced their anger after hearing about the council's controversial plans to remove play areas across the borough.

Hatch Warren - one of the worst affected areas - is set to lose 12 play facilities under the council's new improvement policy being introduced in response to public concern over the safety of play areas.

Among upset residents demanding a public meeting is Paul Edwards, of Majestic Close, Hatch Warren.

He said: "One of my biggest complaints is the council has not consulted us about this. Holding a public meeting would definitely be a good idea."

Throughout the borough, 90 units which are over 20 years old will be removed and an additional 14 play areas removed.

Safer surfacing is to be installed beneath 40 units and 25 sites, also requiring safer surfaces, will be extended.

Hatch Warren councillor Dan Putty has received nearly 40 telephone calls since the council leaflets were dropped through people's doors.

He said: "I feel deeply frustrated and disgusted with what's happening. People are being deprived and the quality of life is being brought down.

Former Basingstoke council leader Stephen Reid, who lives in Hatch Warren, was on the council when the play areas were installed as the estate was built about 10 years ago.

He said: "One of the conditions we laid down for the development of Hatch Warren was for play provisions.

"As part of the planning permission, facilities had to be provided - a decision the council is going back on."

Richard Hewish, of Harris Hill, Hatch Warren, whose four young grandchildren will be affected by the closures, said: "Removing these facilities will only lead to an increase in children playing far less safely in the streets outside their houses."

Demolition and improve- ments to play areas across the borough will take place over the next six months.

Where play areas are being removed the concrete is being replaced with top soil and seeding. "No Ball Games" signs are expected to be erected.

Councillor John Shaw, Cabinet member for recreation and culture, said: "I sympathise with parents' concerns about the removal of play areas. However, my priority is to address safety issues surrounding the provision of play areas."

A strategic plan of the council's play areas was prepared in 1994 and showed the borough needed to reduce its number of play areas.

The plan, still relevant today, was later followed by a risk assessment to identify play areas that needed to be removed for safety reasons.

Cllr Shaw added: "We have taken the earliest opportunity to ensure that work is done. The removal and refurbishment programme has not been decided upon lightly.

"We have followed advice from independent advisors who have highlighted that by rationalising the borough's play areas, residents would have access to better quality facilities which we could then maintain to even higher standards."