RESIDENTS are hopeful that two neglected play areas could come into community ownership.

Frustrations have been aired in recent weeks about the state of the playparks on Wilson Road and neighbouring Wilson Place.

Weeds more than a foot tall are growing through the bark chips while paint is flaking off the play equipment.

The two areas, which are owned by a third party and are not open, have been up for auction in recent weeks but are yet to sell.

An online meeting between members of East Lothian Council, Dunbar Community Council and the King’s Meadow Owners’ Association took place last week.

Malcolm Payton, chairman of the owners’ association, was keen to see the play areas brought back to life.

He said: “We are all 100 per cent convinced in the very near future that they will be active playparks again.”

A guide price of £3,750 has been set for the two sites.

Details on the auction company’s website describe the site as “substantial plots” and now highlight they are being sold without residential planning permission in place.

Mr Payton said residents were not in a position to pay for the playparks.

He added: “What we are looking for is a functional playpark. We are more than happy to take on responsibility for maintaining it and refurbishing it, if we own it.”

Residents are planning to approach the owner of the land and offer to take it off his hands.

Ward councillor Paul McLennan, who attended the virtual meeting, described the situation as “frustrating” and said a further meeting was planned for next month.

He added: “It needs to go back into the ownership of the residents. This has highlighted a few areas where the legislation needs tightened up.”

Ward colleague Councillor Norman Hampshire, who was also at the meeting, said the area should “never” have been sold in the first place.