NEWNTON Grove play park could be reprieved from a part or total sell-off it emerged last week.

The play area was threatened in a motion tabled to North Wiltshire District Council by Coun John Thomson in April last year.

He wanted to sell part or all of the play area beside the open air swimming pool on Old Alexander Road to fund a skateboard park, a new playground at Reeds Farm and a new playground at the Recreation Ground off White Lion Park.

But his plans met with fierce opposition from Newnton Grove residents who raised a 500-signature petition against the motion in November.

Last week, at a meeting to discuss playground provision in Malmesbury, which was attended by members of North Wiltshire District Council, the town council and an action group from Reeds Farm, a new plan emerged that could save the park.

Around 100 houses could be built at Filands to fund a new C of E primary school and Coun Thomson said it was an opportunity to build a joint playground for Filands and Reeds Farm that would not need funding from the sale of Newnton Grove park.

Coun Thomson said: "This is an opportunity to give Malmesbury the complete package and together, hopefully, we can achieve the development everybody wants."

Parents near Newnton Grove playpark, which is owned by the district council but leased yearly to the town council, welcomed the plans.

Petition organiser and father-of- three Andy Pottinger, 42, of White Lion Park, said: "It shows there is a good community spirit in Malmesbury."

Reeds Farms playpark was removed from the estate five years ago because the district council deemed it unsafe.

The group Action for Children in Reeds Farm has raised £1,800 over the last two years to build a new play park.

Group secretary Heather Gibson said: "We came out of the meeting feeling very positive about the proposals. We think this is a great opportunity to get a play area for Reeds Farm."

The meeting was part of a wider consultation process held by the district council. A questionnaire sent to 1,000 homes last month has had 200 replies and will be discussed at a public meeting tonight at 7pm in the town hall.