A POTENTIAL play area at Pickering nearly as big as a football pitch is to be turned over to the public.

But town councillors don't want to take over responsibility and neither does Ryedale District Council (RDC).

The land was set aside by Persimmon Homes as part of the deal with RDC to build 40 new homes at Vivis Meadows in Goslipgate. And this week, Pickering councillors were considering an inquiry from RDC about whether they would take over the land.

But Pickering council had previously said it was averse to taking on the responsibility for the land because of the long-term costs and demands of local residents on the quality of maintenance.

Town council clerk Andrew Husband said RDC also said it was "not at all happy" to find itself with the responsibility.

Persimmon has agreed to pay £40,000 for maintaining the open space and to provide £20,000 worth of children's play equipment. The land is to be planted with shrubs and landscaped and there would be a footpath running through it.

Mr Husband said that if the town authority were to take it over the land - between Mole End and Vivers Mill - it would create demands on the council office staff "which will not easily be met".

He added that, in law, the land would become the responsibility of RDC.

Coun Gaynor de Barr said taking over the long-term responsibility for the land was "a double-edged sword".

"Someone has got to pick up the responsibility otherwise the land will become a dumping ground and a mess. But there will be financial implications on the town council."

Mr Husband forecast that "a public relations exercise" would be needed between the running of the open space and the residents.

Coun Betsy Hill said RDC may have to accept responsibility when it cuts grass in Pickering's other open spaces and verges. "I don't see why we should have to take it on," she added.

Coun Peter Gorrill suggested that the residents on the estate should form an association to look after the area themselves.

Coun de Barr favoured a partnership between RDC, the town council and the residents to run the area.

Mr Husband said: "It would be a good example of a tri-partite arrangement but could cause confusion."

The council agreed that it should not take over the running of the open space but is suggesting to RDC than an association might be formed to do so.

In other council issues:

Pickering faces tougher competition in this year's Yorkshire in Bloom competition, warned the Mayor, Coun Natalie Warriner.

The town is being put into a new category, for small market towns, and as a result will be competing against such places as Helmsley, Dunnington, Market Weighton, Boroughbridge, Thirsk and Barwick in Elmet.

"We shall have to try very hard," said Coun Warriner, who warned that there would be extra cost in stepping up the town's bid for success. She added that last year Pickering had been placed sixth in its previous towns category because the criterion had changed for urban and town communities, being decided on the size of the electorate rather than population.

A meeting is to be held on March 24 between the Recreation Ground Trust committee and the steering committee on teenage play, about the proposed skateboard park for Pickering. Members decided to await the views of the trust on the possible use of land at the recreation ground for the project.

The council decided it wants to have an input into the new management plan for the North York Moors National Park's Levisham Estate.

Three members, Couns Warriner, Mrs J Murkett and Mrs M Lowe, are become members of a working party to discuss the new North Yorkshire Structure Plan.

North Yorkshire County Council's highways authority is to be asked for its views on plans by Caffe STOP! in Burgate to extend its continental-style atmosphere of chairs and tables onto the pavement after some members expressed concern.

Updated: 09:41 Wednesday, February 19, 2003