PLANS to build new play areas in Cheshire could be scrapped after Government spending was slashed.

Education secretary Michael Gove froze grants to 132 councils for building and running up to 1,300 schemes, including 10 lined up by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Just 11 out of 21 play areas under the £235m Playbuilder project have been built in Cheshire.

The programme, introduced by Labour two years ago, was intended to develop 3,500 playgrounds for 8-13 year-olds designed by the communities they were to be built in.

Those proposed play areas affected include: Allington Place, Handbridge; Little Heath Playing Field, Christleton and a site in Blacon. Saltworks Farm, Frodsham is also under threat.

Cheshire West and Chester Council released a statement saying: “The Department for Education has contacted all local authorities currently in receipt of the Playbuilder Grant to state that the Year Two allocation is under review and that we will be informed about our Year Two grant late in August 2010.

“Should there be a reduction in grant allocation we will review the programming and delivery of the 10 remaining projects and contact all communities affected.”

Sites at Bunbury Green, Ellesmere Port; Dolphin Crescent, Great Sutton; Hazel Drive, Weaverham; Marbury Park, Anderton; Shutley Lane, Little Leigh and a site in Northwich to be confirmed were also plunged into doubt.

Play areas at Blacon Play Zone; Caldy Nature Park, Chester; Tilston Playing Fields, Tilston; Ince Playing Field, Ince; The Little Wood, Oakmere; Delamere Drive, Ellesmere Port and Festival Park, Ellesmere Port are among those that already had funding under phase one.