'Don't take children's only green play area'

RESIDENTS OPPOSE SCHEME TO BUILD NEW HOMES

- ALISON STEPHENSON and ANDY PHILLIPS

CHILDREN on a Plymouth estate will lose an area they play on every day when new houses are built, says a residents group opposing a development which has been marked for approval by council officers.

A green space at Wilmot Gardens in Crownhill looks set to be lost to a development of five affordable homes.

The controversial plan will be discussed at a meeting of the council's planning committee on Thursday - but not before residents stage a last-ditch bid to save the green space, hedgerow and mature trees.

Residents have opposed the plan for more than two years, and say it should be refused due to the adverse effect it will have on the community. Some 44 letters of objection have been received from residents concerned about the loss of the green space known as Wilmot Gardens Green, which many claim is the only place in the area where children can play.

They also oppose the felling of five trees and say the green oasis in the built up area is extensively used by the community. Concerns have also been raised that the new homes, a mix of one-bed flats and two-bed houses, will result in a loss of privacy and light and cause overlooking to neighbours.

The plan was submitted by Darren Wills of Classic Builders (SW) Ltd in April and is the second time planning consent has been sought for the land.

In 2021 a scheme was proposed for seven homes, but was withdrawn after protests.

A report for the planning committee officers said the site is not a designated open space, but it was still relevant under planning policy.