A NEW site has been identified for redeveloping Monmouth's Chippenham Mead play area.

Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) cabinet will be recommended to adopt a triangular area on the village green between the main footpath and the buildings at Chippenham Court as its preferred location at a meeting next week.

The cabinet has also been recommended to proceed with submitting applications for planning permission and village green consent.

Funding for the project has also been increased to £102,196 from £85,000 which was first allocated back in June 2014.

The preferred site is safer for children as it is more easily viewed, according to a council report written by Mike Moran, community infrastructure co-ordinator.

"Access is also much safer here when the play area is approached from the direction of Blestium Street, as the access is fully visible," Mr Moran writes.

The site is also less noisy and does not involve the loss of any trees.

Redeveloping the play area at the new site would involve realigning a junior rugby pitch to allow for sufficient space.

The existing play area would be returned to an open landscaped area with additional tree planting under the plans.

Both the town's rugby and football teams use the village green extensively for sport, with a joint membership of more than 500 registered players.

When deciding on the revised location for the play area the council did not want to reduce the number of sports pitches available, according to the report.

Originally, MCC intended to refurbish the play area in its current location but concerns were raised about the suitability of the site.

The location of the area has been the subject of "extensive local debate and discussion" since funds were first allocated.

"Although there is a body of opinion that the play area should remain in its existing location, the majority of responses received favour relocation of the play area to another part of the village green," the report adds.

Monmouth Town Council also opposed the current site and MCC cabinet members concluded the site was 'unsuitable' at a site meeting earlier this year.