How Pebsham youngsters have given a valuable lesson to our leaders

The playpark is long overdue for a make-over. Some of the equipment today's children play on there was in use when their parents were children.

The needs of the estate's youngsters were put as a priority when local residents took part in setting out Pebsham's wishes in putting together their Local Action Plan.

Since then, Rother has engaged the children themselves in consultation, asking what they wanted to see for their younger brethren in the parkpark and what older youngsters would like in the way of adventure equipment in the nearby recreation ground.

They even took a group of Pebsham children, together with youngsters helping with a similar project at Robertsbridge, all the way to Brentwood in Essex to see a playpark there which is considered to be a model of its kind.

In terms of the consultation which has been involved and the quality and scope of the provision which it is planned to make, Rother's operation at Pebsham has, so far, been a model operation in its own right.

Judging from the reaction to Saturday's public exhibition and that of the youngsters who went to Brentwood, Rother is about to ring the bell in terms of customer satisfaction.

If the new play facilities live up to expectations and a hit with the youngsters the exercise will have demonstrated an important point.

By first asking the adults in the area to define their priorities, the local authority has come up with a plan which gives them what they want.

By then asking those with the best working knowledge of the subject '“ in this case the children - to suggest which play equipment might go in they are giving them what they want.

There is no element which does not have a valid application or which will stand idle once installed.

It matches need with attainable solution.

As a result, the initiative is going ahead with the people behind it, not against it.

If it works for a 120,000 project the principle will certainly work for more ambitious schemes.

Seafront working party please note.