Brackley Town Council is replacing existing play equipment in Brackley Park with equipment for small children and some larger play facilities for older youngsters following public consultation last year.

But the National Trust, which owns the park, is concerned the installation of the larger equipment could disturb medieval remains which were discovered in 1987 on the site.

Mayor of Brackley, Cllr Jim Broomfield, said: "The National Trust is concerned we don't dig any further down than we already have done in case we disturb the remains.

"The items in the park are very dated and old and I am hoping to get the equipment installed before the end of my year as mayor. It is frustrating, but the National Trust owns the park and we have to do what they request."

The remains relate to townhouse plots traced in medieval documents, but cleared in the 17th Century to form gardens associated with a manor house on the other side of the road.

The town council has been in negotiations with the trust to find a way to both preserve the site and comply with residents' wishes for new play equipment, and has agreed to install the small children's play equipment as it does not require ground works which could disturb the remains.

The existing larger equipment on the site will be removed and the area surrounding it will be investigated further.
It is hoped the small play equipment, following an agreement with the National Trust on its colours, will be installed in the spring.