Play parks and recreational areas are causing a headache in Chudleigh. The trouble is: l the parks and areas are unfinished; l the town council wants to take them over but is worried about their state; and l the parks are not necessarily what some people expected. Developer Cavanna Homes has almost finished housing at Culver Green and Millstream Meadows and is ready to hand responsibility for the play parks to Chudleigh Town Council. The town council held an extraordinary general meeting last week to enable the takeover to go ahead. But councillors were worried about the unfinished state of the parks and recreation spaces, thinking that town taxpayers would have to fork out for maintenance once they were taken over. So the town council issued a statement, saying it 'can not make a decision until we have at least the commuted sum and either a warranty or an additional sum of money to take the areas to completion'. Cllr Lorraine Evans, chairman of the town council, said there were too many problems at present. She said: 'The toddlers' play area at Culver Green has weeds three to four feet high growing in the open spaces. The kickaround area at Millstream Meadows has not been seeded with grass. 'The landscaping promised has not been done and the boules area is unfinished.' She added: 'There are also problems that need to be put right before we take responsibility for the area. For example, there are some beautiful mosaics that are under water whenever it rains – the lack of drainage makes permanent puddles. 'That would be expensive for the town to rectify. Cavanna must put it right before we agree to make it our responsibility. 'It is an option that the town council does not agree to take over the areas at all, but we do want the facilities for all the people of Chudleigh to enjoy.' Helen Smith, who has teenage sons, said the children were disappointed with a skate park provided. Despite it being planned for six years it was 'useless, no more than a sloping, curved pavement'. She said: 'You'd have more fun on the skate ramp with a zimmer. The kids are gutted.' Residents might apply for lottery money to upgrade it, she said. Teignbridge Council spokesman Guy Pedrick said the area was designed by Cavanna as a skate facility rather than a park after a consultation period. Mr Pedrick added that his authority, the town council and Cavanna had worked hard to get the best facilities possible.