But the local councillors have hit back and said they have always been in favour of a new playground and that they don’t know what Ms White’s online petition will achieve.
According to Ms White, who grew up in Adel, families have been asking for a safe, local place for children to play for more than 40 years.
She said that despite sites being identified, feasibility work being carried out, and repeated discussions, Adel still has no playground, leaving generations of children without facilities that most communities take for granted.
Ms White said: “I grew up in Adel. There was no playground then, and there still isn’t one now. Families have done everything asked of them, sites have been discussed, meetings have been held, and the need is obvious.
“After 40 years, it is time to use the funding available and finally build Adel’s playground.”
She said she is calling on Adel and Wharfedale Conservative councillors Barry Anderson, Caroline Anderson, and Billy Flynn to use existing community funding available to them for new local projects to deliver a playground for Adel.
Adel & Wharfedale Councillor Barry Anderson (Image: submitted)
But Cllr Barry Anderson said Ms White was targeting the wrong people, and should instead be petitioning Labour-run Leeds City Council.
He said: “Who is she going to petition? The three local Councillors are all convinced that we should have one, the Adel Neighbourhood Forum are behind a play area and residents of Adel through the magnificent turn out and response to the recent referendum have indicated their support for it.
“That just leaves the Council. As a Labour MP she can speak directly to her Labour Council and to her colleagues with responsibility for play areas and they can ask the Senior Council Officer responsible to identify the Council sites they would suggest for the site of the play area. As it is only the Labour Council that remain to put their weight behind it.”
Ms White provided testimonials from local people who she said are backing her campaign.
Janet, who lives locally and is backing the campaign, said: “We brought up three children now in their 30s with no local playground. There is still no local playground here for our grandchildren. We have always had to take the car to go to a playground. It’s unacceptable when we all know outdoor play versus screens is so important.”
Chandni, who lives locally and has a young toddler, said: “It’s a massive inconvenience that I am not able to walk to a playground without getting in a car. I have enough to juggle between nap times, meal times and trying to get out of the house with a two-year-old can be challenging.”
The petition can be found at: https://forms.gle/NZo8UeAHwaPrLpvw7 and the introduction to it once again puts the focus on the local councillors.
It says: “Our local councillors in Adel, Barry Anderson, Caroline Anderson, and Billy Flynn, all Conservative councillors for Adel and Wharfedale, have access to funding that could pay for a community playground.
“This is public money specifically intended for new community project. We are calling on them to step up and use that funding to finally deliver what families in Adel have been asking for for decades.”
It adds: “Playgrounds are not a luxury. They help children stay active, support mental health, and give young people a place to build friendships close to home. They also bring our families together, giving parents and carers a proper, safe space for their children.”
But Cllr Anderson added: “Over the years meetings have been held, with parents, the Neighbourhood Forum and Council Officers to reach agreement.
“Conversations have also been had with some private landowners who have indicated they might be willing to allow their land to be used. However, issues still remain.
“We have had numerous housing developments in the area over the last few years why did Planning not insist that one be installed on at least one of these sites. We have had a small one proposed at Eastmoor targeted at young children, but we need a larger one. The funding through the community infrastructure levy (CIL)is also there and available for use, hence funding is not the major issue.”
He said that while he and his colleagues support the proposal, he could not see what Ms White’s petition would achieve.
Cllr Anderson added: “It must be pointed out that other groups and organisations have ideas to spend the CIL to meet other unmet needs because of the lack of infrastructure investment as a result of the numerous housing developments, the Neighbourhood Plan also has other proposals in it as well that will need funding.”
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “The council is committed, through its long-standing Child Friendly Leeds programme and other investments and initiatives, to making Leeds the best place in the country for children and young people to grow up in.
“In line with this ambition, we are always keen to work with interested parties – including local residents, ward members and other stakeholders – to explore ways to provide high-quality, accessible, sustainable and inclusive play opportunities in communities across the city.”