Plans for a high quality adventure playground overlooking Swanpool have received unanimous support from Falmouth councillors which paves the way for possible funding streams to be explored.

Esther Lochrie, a director of Swanpool Beach Ltd which holds the lease for much of the beach, the car park and nature reserve, addressed a meeting of the town council last week when she outlined the proposals.

“We see the nature reserve and Swanpool as a real jewel in our crown and something we want to make a lot more of,” she said. “We want to create quite a sizeable and high quality children’s play area on the pool side of the car park that would engage local children and education children on what goes on in the nature reserve.

“I think Swanpool is an ideal location for an adventure play area. There is a real need for children’s play areas in Falmouth and that problem is only going to get worse. Swanpool could answer that need not only now, but in the future. We would like to develop something quite special with a real wow factor.”

The play area would be free to use, open all year round but closed off at night. The idea has already generated a lot of support among the local community with at least 300 people signing a petition and a Facebook page receiving almost 1,200 likes since January.

Councillors were told the Swanpool Forum would be applying for grant funding while Swanpool Beach Ltd will manage and maintain the area, contribute some essential funding and invest into the play area going forward.

“We think we have an amazing opportunity to create a good sized play area that Falmouth can be proud of and that local people can use, but will also be a draw to tourists. We think it’s a great place for it – we already have parking, toilets and a cafe, it’s all there.”

The idea won the wholehearted support of councillors with Steve Eva saying: “It’s a breath of fresh air to have someone come |here who wants to do something for the town. Janey (Davis) has done it at Kimberley Park and I just hope you really move forward on this and hope you get the support you want.”

Councillor David Saunby added: “This is a brilliant idea for Falmouth and will put the icing on the cake for that area.”

With the town council’s support now in the bag, the team behind the scheme will approach Cornwall Council to apply for section 106 funding.