Locals welcome preservation of play area for now

HOMES HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR PRECIOUS GREEN SPACE

- ALISON STEPHENSON

CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a decision to defer plans to build homes on a children's play area in a densely populated area of Plymouth.

They say the land at Wilmot Gardens is one of a very few green spaces left in the Manadon, Crownhill and Honicknowle area of the city and is cherished by young and old, but the 1,347 sq m site has been earmarked for development since 2019 and forms part of the city council's plan for 5,000 new homes over the next five years.

The application for five affordable homes by Classic Builders controversially involves cutting down five mature oak and ash trees, and has been supported by the council's planning officers. After a long debate, the council's planning committee agreed to delay making a decision until it had a detailed tree study, investigated disabled parking provision, and assessed the community's use of the site.

Matt Fleming, chairman of Crownhill Local Area Residents Association (CLARA), is pleased councillors are investigating the plan, which has received 45 objections from the public.

He said he understood they are stuck between "a rock and a hard place," weighing up the need for homes against green space for the community.