A PLAYGROUND, coach park and extended sports field have been handed over to youngsters from a village building firm.

Rose Builders pledged the community facilities as part of it’s planning permission to build 150 homes off Cox’s Hill, in Lawford - called the Summers Park development.

As the homes are all nearly finished, the company has made the final touches to a new coach park and extended sports field for Manningtree High School, in Colchester Road.

Steven Rose, company director, said: “The new coach park will take school buses and coaches off Colchester Road in the mornings and afternoons during drop-off and pick-up times, relieving congestion on this road.

“The extended sports field will now provide Manningtree High School with a level playing field and a full 400m running track.

“The concept conceived in 2012 provides Manningtree High School with a London 2012 Olympic legacy for students at the school in perpetuity.”

The company has also handed over a new children’s play area on the Summers Park estate to Lawford Parish Council.

Mr Rose added: “We are delighted to have delivered the play area and adjoining landscaped field.

“The play area is easily accessible from the local footpath network that links Summers Park, to the Dale Hall estate and the Essex Way.

“The community benefits were agreed and planned over six years ago and it is wonderful to see the area coming to physical fruition for the benefit of the under sevens in Lawford.

“The project is now nearing completion with the final houses due for completion early next year.”