A charge to visit The Look Out in Bracknell will stay for now but councillors have committed to not introduce charges at any other play areas in the town.

Labour opposition councillor Mary Temperton submitting a motion to Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) calling for the trial fee to be made a “one-off”, and “not a test case for future charging of play and recreational areas in Bracknell Forest.”

Parents currently have to pay £5 for use of The Discovery Centre’s play area — a fee that was reduced from £10 after an outcry from the community.

READ MORE: Council halves The Look Out fee after parent backlash

Families get £5 credit for The Look Out’s cafe and Bracknell Forest Council said the scheme was introduced to manage visitor numbers and to comply with social distancing guidance.

But critics said the idea would mean children from poorer families are excluded from using the play space.

The motion was debated by members at the full council meeting on Wednesday, September 9, with all councillors agreeing that no further charges would come forward.

Councillor Paul Bettison, leader of the council said the fee is a deposit to spend in the shop “not a charge” and is “a one-off” to limit the number of people going into the play area.

He said the deposit could not be returned to parents in cash as the play area is in the middle of the woods.

Cllr Temperton suggested the booking to limit numbers for social distancing could have been introduced without a charge.

But Cllr Bettison said: “Some people would book a session every day and turn up when the weather is nice if it was free.”

READ MORE: Community reacts to council’s decision to halve The Look Out fee

Several councillors confirmed the council ‘has no intention of replicating the arrangements at other playgrounds’.

Cllr Temperton thanked councillors and added: “I know residents will be relieved as well.”