PLANS for the revamp of the childrens play area in Chiswick's Dukes Meadows can be unveiled by the Times this week, after it was revealed that the Friends' Society received a grant of £100,000 from the London Marathon Trust.

The Friends have been working hard on several different plans to regenerate the area, which for many years suffered from neglect, and were delighted when they received the news of the new funding.

This is on top of succeeding in the first round of the Living Spaces grant process, which, it is hoped will shortly recommend that the full application for a further £100,000 should be awarded for the development.

As the play area regeneration scheme is due to cost £300,000 this represents a significant step towards raising the funds needed. Other grant applications have also been made to various bodies which are awaiting decisions.

Kathleen Healy, Development Manager for the Friends said: "We are absolutely delighted to get the money. It's started us off, as it's our first bit of money and it's really encouraging to get that in.

"We are hoping to hear from Living Spaces very shortly and we have other applications we are waiting for decisions on as well. The local History Society are helping put information together for us to submit a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to help with the reconstruction of Promenade Approach.

"We are quietly confident that we will be able to start work late this year or early next."

The proposals for the play area include reconstructing a new pool sited closer to the Pavilion where there are already existing facilities and creating a sunken garden and informal amphitheatre in the old pool site.

New tree planting should give a more ecological and visual variety to the site and the broken up concrete from the existing paddling pool would be used to create the base of a sculpted earth mound on the raised area of the Meadows, creating a new focus and as well as a better viewing point of the river.

Work is also due to start work on renovating the flat in the Pavilion, after a £5,000 grant from the Local Area Committee and a £15,000 Empty Property Grant were awarded.

Ms Healy added: "Work on the flat is due to start in the next few weeks. It is really good to see things happening and projects starting. It is very important to us, as this will generate revenue for us to continue with regeneration and maintenance of the area. Also, the fact that it will no longer be derelict, should help improve the area's environment immediately."

"We have had a twin approach right from the start, firstly to renovate the area, but also to generate an income to pay for a maintenance programme for the park once it has been brought back to its former glory."

The AGM will be held at the Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, just off the High Road between Dukes Avenue and Dukes Road at 7pm on Thursday March 18. Anyone is welcome to attend, although only Friends will be able to vote.

For more information about the Friends and their activities visit fodm.org.uk