Hundreds oppose playing fields plans in Gloucester
Blackbridge playing fields in Podsmead could be turned into new homes.
A petition's been launched against plans to turn a Gloucester playing field into a site with 30 homes, a sports pitch and a car park.
Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society wants to build the development at Blackbridge playing fields in Podsmead.
Nearly 400 resident have signed the petition - claiming the plans will create more traffic, encourage antisocial behaviour and lead to a loss of green space.
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.