PLANS for a state-of-the-art new playground to keep village children off the streets has caused a rift.

The decision to transform an unused playing field in Owermoigne into a safe modern play area came after a village consultation in 2006 when young people complained they had no where to play.

A committee called the Owermoigne Youth Trust was set up and plans for a modern playground with cable rides, climbing frames and roundabouts in excess of £80,000 were drawn up. Chairman of the youth trust Duncan Follis said: "At the moment the field is hardly used and the swings that were there were removed because they were dangerous.

"At the moment the 50 or so young people in the village have nothing to do so they end up playing in the road which is dangerous, but they have no where else to go."

The committee is made up of nine residents and children who spoke to other residents in the area before putting together a planning application.

The brightly coloured playground requested by the children includes eight modern pieces of playing equipment.

These include a multi-use games area, a 20m cable ride, an alien-shaped climbing frame complete with climbing walls, a rope maze and a swinging chain for climbing.

Trees, plants and hedges will also be planted as part of the regeneration of the playing field.

Mr Follis said: "Most of the village are behind the plan including the parish council but we have already had to withdraw one set of plans because the protesters were not happy.

"We had trouble because some people complained about the colour or the look of the frames or the fact that the children are going to have this new playing field.

"The field is maybe overlooked by only a few houses and I think that it's a good thing to get the children a safe place to play."

The first planning application was withdrawn so that the colour of the equipment and details changed to address the protestor's concerns.

Community worker for Dorset Community Action Kris Hallett has been involved throughout the project.

She said: "The play area should be great for the community especially after the school and post office shut down there.

"We have worked to revamp the plans so I am hoping that these ones will work for everybody.

"I was surprised there were objections in view of the fact that children need to let off steam."

If planning permission is granted for the proposal the Owermoigne Youth Committee can start to apply for grants to fund the playground.

The application will go before West Dorset District Council's Planning Committee on June 20.