A play area at a new-build housing development consisting of nine logs has been described as a ‘joke’.

The fenced off area is part of Ashton Rise estate near Market Harborough Leicestershire, where houses have gone for as much as £600,000.

It features just the logs and a single, somewhat weathered bench.

A resident of the town, John Lewis, 51, shared a video of the playground on social media and said developers ‘should be ashamed’.

The housing development – which boasts 119 properties – was built by Linden Homes and completed late 2020.

In the video John, a self-employed IT systems engineer, is heard saying: ‘Now this apparently is a play area for young children. Of course, no dogs, no smoking, no cycling.

‘So obviously, we’re expecting something pretty amazing here.

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‘The equipment is operated and maintained by FirstPort property service, ‘Please report any damage to customer services,’ it says, okay.”

‘So, here we go then.’

John then pans the camera across and reveals the pile of logs.

‘I don’t think I’d let my bloody dog play on this, would you?’ he says.

‘What the hell is that supposed to be?! That is it, that’s the play area, everybody. Fantastic.’

The kids’ play area is maintained by FirstPort – who call themselves the ‘UK’s leading residential property management specialists’.

FirstPort said the park was not built by them – they only maintain it.

John added: ‘My first thoughts were, “Is this modern art?”

‘And then “Oh my god, what a joke.”

‘I was also expecting there to be a ‘keep-out’ [sign], in case the equipment had been stolen.’

He said it’s a point of contention for locals as the community has ‘nothing for kids and the cost of the houses are half-a-million plus’.

Local reports in 2018 show the the maximum amount a home on the estate was sold for was £600,000 – with others starting from £384,995.

At the time of development, Linden Homes contributed more than £2,000,000 to local infrastructure – as per their agreement with Harborough District Council.

They said at the time: ‘This includes £873,155 towards primary, secondary and post-16 education, £237,825 towards outdoor sports provision, £126,577 for children and young people’s amenities, £121,974 for town centre improvements, and a £35,406 contribution to local policing.’

Linden Homes was contacted for comment.

Earlier this year, Londoners voted for the ‘saddest playgrounds’ in the capital, as part of a campaign to improve them.

Leyton Square in Peckham and Crystal Palace Park’s playground were picked by residents as ‘most in need of love’.

The Peckham park was one of the places Rio Ferdinand used to play football as a youngster.

The list was part of children’s charity London Play’s campaign to improve play facilities across London.

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