Opposition over new plan for 'last bit of green land'

UNREST is brewing over plans to build homes on the only green space where children can play in a huge Plymouth housing estate.

- WILLIAM TELFORD

Residents living in the Wilmot Gardens area of Crownhill have been fighting plans to develop the site and cut down trees for nearly three years now.

An initial planning application was withdrawn after protests in 2021. But now developer Darren Wills, of Classic Builders (SW) Ltd, has submitted proposals to construct five affordable homes on the council-owned plot.

Documents submitted to Plymouth City Council said concerns of residents had been addressed and incorporated in a new scaled-down plan. Residents say the developer has offered to create a community garden.

But the Crownhill Local Area Residents Association (Clara) has told The Herald it is “disheartened” to see another bid to build on the land and chop down trees.

It said children will have to cross busy roads to find another patch of grass and fear the impact the construction will have on wildlife.

Clara, which is behind a “save our green” campaign, is calling on residents to submit their thoughts to the council before the end of April – even if they support the scheme.