Baseball fence and play tower planned in Victoria Park

Plans for a baseball stop fence and a play tower in Victoria Park have won conditional approval.

The fence comes as the park already hosts a well-supported American football team and two baseball sides.

A report with the planning application by Taunton Deane Borough Council, which was approved last week, says: "Victoria Park has a growing reputation for alternative American sports/activites.

"The proposed applications are located adjacent the existing play area and to the far east of the park.

Victoria Park hosting the more traditional British sport of football.

"There is a dedicated well-supported American football team with league pitch at Victoria Park and there are also two local baseball teams looking to increase their presence.

"The park offers a perfect opportunity to do so without losing area to other sports that use the facilities."

The application also includes plans for the largest play tower in Somerset located on a sand pit and a pitch for the local sand volleyball club, which will double up as a children's play area.

The application says: "The proposed tower will be 7.4 metres in overall height.

"The bespoke design will reflect the lighthouse at Burnham-on-Sea with each façade being slightly different.

"It will be four equal sided with a four sided apex roof. The finish will be primarily white clapperboard effect created using a mix of coloured plywood and composite panels."

There will be a climbing frame, slide, mesh tunnel, grilled, perspex windows and central rope.

The height of the bottom step will prevent anyone under five gaining physical access to the tower.