A major project to develop Cononley's playing fields for the new Millennium has been unveiled.

The village's playing fields committee held an open meeting at the Church Centre when the £42,000 project was presented for people to see and comment on.

Committee member David Green gave a very thorough explanation of the project and what the likely costs would be.

A new adventure playground is planned and the landscaping is to be improved but a major part, and the most controversial, is the plan to demolish the existing green shelter and build a new bandstand.

Mr Green gave details of the costs related to each part of the project, explaining how the money would be raised, adding that grants were available and had been applied for.

Current quotations costed the bandstand at £26,000, the play area (including bark flooring) at £13,050 and landscaping (including five new benches) at £2,410.

There was a lively, open discussion on what all agreed was an ambitious project.

Although some were concerned at the high costs, most welcomed the improvements, which are designed to be enjoyed by the whole community for years to come.

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