The playground at Lower Meadow has been closed because of a collapsed private drain. Work is under way to determine the exact location of the collapse, and the playground will be reopened as soon as the drain has been repaired.

Staple Tye councillor Lorna Spenceley joined representatives from local residents' associations and organisations at the monthly meeting of the Staple Tye police neighbourhood action panel. The police updated the meeting about last month's priorities for the area - nuisance bikes in Berecroft, and nuisance football in Longbanks.

The meeting also suggested areas where police and PCSOs could look at traffic issues. Commonside Road, Rye Hill Road and Ployters Road were mentioned, and Lorna also suggested outside Stewards School where residents have frequently complained of traffic problems.

The meeting also discussed criminal damage and theft of (or from) cars. The police are keen to remind people that satnavs can be a real invitation to thieves, and that putting your home address into your satnav is not a good idea!

The Berecroft bikes and scooters remain a priority for this month. If there are any particular policing issues in the Staple Tye ward that you think the police should be concentrating on in the near future, please let your councillors Lorna or Su know.

Harlow Council has received a planning application for changes to the shop front at Maunds Hatch, to incorporate an automatic sliding door, and a new refrigeration and air conditioning plant to the rear of the store.

The planning application reference number is HW/PL/07/00262, and the council officer dealing with the application is Aron Holbrook. Planning applications are available for public inspection from Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 at the Civic Centre, The Water Gardens, Harlow, Essex CM20 1WG.

A planning application has been submitted for the demolition of the existing two-storey garages at 147-204 Moorfield, and their replacement with single storey garages and open car parking spaces. This is the project that the residents' association has been working on with the council and local people for some time.

The application reference number is HW/PL/07/00239; the planning officer responsible is Dylan Gardiner, and applications are available for public inspection from Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00 at the Civic Centre in the Water Gardens.