A SEASIDE themed mini leisure area will be installed for children aged up to 14.

The facility will include a playground and equipment for older children to enjoy on north Shoebury Common.

Plans to place it on the south side behind beach huts appear to have been dropped.

The mini leisure area near to the Shore House pub and restaurant will have an appropriate seaside theme.

Designed for children aged up to 14, it will have three main areas.

These include a toddler’s area with a “boat climber” a wide slide, a springer, a seesaw and a “whirlybob”.

Another area for older children will have a “scramble and slide”, a climbing frame and chute slides.

For those aged up to 14 the “Hunter” will “test their agility, strength, balance and co-ordination as they balance on a net, jump from climbing posts and use stepping poles to reach a platform.

The plans from Southend Council followed a public consultation on the best use of Shoebury Common which has been a public area for hundreds of years seen on early maps dating back to the late 1600s.

Sutcliffe Play has been contracted to carry out the installation.

The council said: “The installation of the playground will not have a negative impact directly on the surrounding area and will maintain the current character of the surrounding amenities and park land.

“The decks provide a year round safe platform irrespective of the weather or outside temperature - in total nine play features designed to accommodate all and ages and abilities and encourage integrated play.”

Peter Grubb, owner of nearby Uncle Tom’s Cabin and member of The Friends of Shoebury Common, welcomed the plan.

He said: “All are in favour of it. We have been working towards just such a venture ever since the failed attempt to turn the area into a village green.

“The reason they have come forward with funding is they recognise the demand for just such a playground there.”

Mr Grubb added: “The only disappointment is the sheer length of time it’s taken the council to get this moving. We knew it was coming two years ago.

“The proposal to put the playground on the south side was dropped because of a public outcry.”