The findings are part of a three-year independent evaluation of the programme, which has spent £123m on 1,466 play projects since 2006.
The report found that a fifth of leads in areas where money had been allocated "cited negative attitudes to play among residents. This sometimes resulted in provision being delayed or discontinued."
Among residents’ concerns were that play facilities in their area would attract antisocial behaviour. This resulted in planning permission being refused in some cases.
Tight time constraints were another factor in relationships between play project leads and local residents breaking down.
The report states: "For example, one play portfolio had a tight timescale for completing its capital project, which meant consultations with local communities were not as thorough as planned. This led to local residents' concerns about the play spaces remaining unresolved."
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