Hundreds oppose plans for Gloucester playing field
Residents say the plans could turn a popular playing field into a "concrete jungle".
Residents have launched a petition against plans to turn a popular Gloucester playing field into a “concrete jungle” with 30 homes and a floodlit sports pitch and a car park.
Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society is preparing proposals to develop an indoor and outdoor sport facility at Blackbridge playing fields in Podsmead.
They say the scheme is made possible by the transfer of playing fields land by Gloucestershire County Council who will develop around 30 houses with vehicle access from New Dawn View on a plot of land to the south east of the site.
But just under 400 residents, who fear the scheme will create more traffic, encourage antisocial behaviour and lead to a loss of green space, have signed a petition against the proposals.
Bev Sayers is one of the local residents who has serious concerns about the plans.
She said: “We are against the development of the whole field and the houses. I feel the planned housing is one of the major issues with this development.
“The concrete jungle they will create with the car parking could have houses built on there at a later date.
“The residents of the Podsmead estate of Laburnum Road are also concerned about safety.
“People from all over use the field because it’s nice and flat and the scenery and wildlife makes it a tranquil place.”
Plans are expected to be submitted in September and if they get the go-ahead the hub will feature a full sized, floodlit artificial grass pitch and natural grass pitches for football, rugby and cricket, as well as a pavilion building which will feature four team changing rooms, a dance/exercise studio, health and fitness gym and social and meeting spaces.
Gloucestershire County Council is expected to be submitting a separate application for the housing development around the same time.
If planning consent is granted, work could start in summer 2023 followed by a grand opening in spring 2024.