BARRATT'S 130-house development Royal View in North Petherton, Bridgwater, has completely sold out this spring.

A vibrant new community play area is now accessible to the children who live there.

Described as enriching the community spirit, the area provides a verdant space for children to enjoy and is sure to foster social interaction by enabling neighbours to meet.

These play environments, pioneered by builders such as Barratt, frequently require months or even years of planning and development. The process encompasses design stages and thorough examination by local planners.

Including aspects such as boundary fencing, gates, and play structures. Prominent landscape architects, Golby + Luck, were responsible for this endeavour at Royal View.

This 'locally equipped play area', or LEAP, is designed to captivate children aged four and upwards. It delivers opportunities for diverse play experiences, and serves as a social hub.

Furthermore, unlike traditional playgrounds that only cater to particular age groups, Royal View incorporates equipment that's also suitable for toddlers.

Barratt Bristol's senior technical coordinator, Neil Brown, said: "Safety and access are key to the play areas we design, and we look to ensure they enhance and reflect the environment, for example here by using natural wood and reinforced grass matting or rubber shred chippings under equipment.

"It looks very at home in this green setting, but every detail has been thought through to ensure safety and access to all. That takes into consideration everything from a self-shutting gate to safety surfacing, fencing around the park to fixings on the equipment and seats.

"Getting the balance right takes a lot of care but it's so satisfying seeing it come together and open to the public."

While Royal View is fully occupied, a number of homes are still available at Barratt's development, Brue Place, situated seven miles north of Royal View in Highbridge.