PLANS to revamp playgrounds across a city centre could be halted due to a funding shortfall, a meeting heard.

Winchester City Council’s cabinet heard on its new five-year plan to refurbish nine of the 24 play areas by 2020 is facing a £336,000 funding gap.

Cllr Patricia Stallard, portfolio holder for environment, health and wellbeing, said four of the five years in the plan “cannot be committed until funding has been received”.

The first year (2015-2016) will see makeovers at Stanmore recreation ground (£16,000), Somers Close skate park in Stanmore (£80,000), an outdoor gym in Stanmore (£20,000) and North Walls bowling green (£20,000).

The cabinet heard that whilst there is enough funding for those refurbishments, there is currently no money for play areas at North Walls, Winnall Manor Road, Marnhull Rise, Gordon Avenue and Teg Down Meads.

It means they may not be revamped as planned between 2016 and 2020.