A FORMER children's play park which became a rubbish-strewn 'jungle' wasteland is a step nearer to being tamed after vegetation was cleared.
These photos show progress is being made at 'wild' Woodmancote park in Warndon, Worcester after diggers began clearing the site at the start of December.
READ MORE: Wild Woodmancote Park - work stalled by hedgehogs
READ MORE: Woodmancote is wild jungle wasteland
However, for the time being, work has stalled because of concerns over hibernating hedgehogs which proved a prickly issue for some locals.
The councillor pressing for change and improvements says residents can expect to see the project continue in the New Year - and no hedgehogs will be hurt.
On seeing some photos readers even compared the wilderness to Jurassic Park but Cllr Jill Desayrah says she is determined to make it a space the community can enjoy once more.
Earlier this month the overgrown vegetation towered over residents who still remember a play park with a slide, seats and even a zip-wire and wigwam - but already it is scarcely recognisable with much of the rubbish and vegetation already gone.
Over years of neglect, the park had become a tangled wilderness of brambles, nettles and fly-tipped rubbish including a dumped office chair, a pushchair, a paint roller, bin bags of waste and empty, soggy cardboard crates of beer.
Cllr Desayrah, the Labour councillor for Warndon, welcomed the progress made by Sanctuary, which owns the land, and wanted to assure the community no hedgehogs had been harmed.
Cllr Desayrah said: “The transformation of the overgrown wasteland described as a jungle is well underway.
"This site has been derelict for over 15 years. Following an ecological review to protect any hibernating hedgehogs work will recommence. Sanctuary Housing confirm that none have been harmed or seen to date.
"Having this substantial green space restored to Warndon is a significant development. Sanctuary will be consulting with residents and the local primary school on what to do with the site.
"It will coincide with the council’s city-wide play review. Personally I would like to see recreational areas for all ages, a nature reserve, maybe even some allotments which the school and residents can use. This is a project especially close to my heart. It will be a significant lift for an area without any play park facilities. I believe that this piece of Warndon can look forward to a very happy New Year!"
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