Neighbours have questioned whether an outdoor gym paid for by the NHS will actually be used.

People living in Bow Lane, Finchley, have been consulted over plans to create a playground and an outdoor gym on land behind Finchley Memorial Hospital.

It is one of three being proposed and in total, the gyms will cost £45,000.

But they are vehemently against the gym, which will be paid for by the National Health Service, saying it cannot be justified in times of austerity.

Liz d’Esterre, who lives in Bow Lane, called the plans “disproportionate”.

The grandmother said: “How can it cost that much to build a playground? This is a jaw-dropping waste of taxpayers’ money.

“There are so many cuts to jobs and local services – wouldn’t the money be better used elsewhere?

“The whole thing has made me really angry, they’ve got their priorities wrong.”

Mrs d’Esterre questioned whether it would actually be used, given that Victoria Park is just a stone's throw away.

She added: “It looks lovely on the leaflet the council has sent out but let’s face it, we’re hardly in LA and it will often be too cold to use it.

“We’ve got some very good health facilities in the vicinity, so why we need more is beyond me.

“I agree that we need to promote healthy lifestyles but this facility will just be sat idle.”

Her views are echoed by Louise Nodeell, of Hamilton Road, and Gina Barter, of Granville Road.

Mrs Nodeell said: “There are many more ways that the authority could spend the money so we are upset that our views aren’t being taken into consideration.

“They haven’t done their research on this.”

Mrs Barter said: “There’s a bowling green just down the road that’s locked up most of the year and never used, and now they want to add more facilities.”

The NHS has requested a comment from Public Health England.