VEHEMENT objections are being levied against moves to build houses on Ellenbrook Road Playing Field.Hundreds of residents, outraged at the prospect of the Ipswich playing field being carved up for housing, are signing a petition in protest.
VEHEMENT objections are being levied against moves to build houses on Ellenbrook Road Playing Field.
Hundreds of residents, outraged at the prospect of the Ipswich playing field being carved up for housing, are signing a petition in protest.
The objections are being led by Ipswich Conservative Association.
They follow the Suffolk County Council's recent planning application to build seven new houses on Ellenbrook Road playing field.
The land, currently owned by Chantry High School, has not been used by the school for 20 years. Chantry High hopes to use the money from the sale for its new sports facilities.
But users of the park are angry at the proposed loss of a play space. Since the launch of the petition at the beginning of the week, almost 200 people have put their names down in objection.
Bob Hall, spokesman for the Conservative Association, launched the petition.
He said: "I am opposed to building houses here. We should be preserving this type of green space, which is of use to all of the community.
"It is normally prohibited to sacrifice playing fields, or part thereof, unless an equal or improved facility can be provided elsewhere.
"We have already had to absorb more housing at Thorrington Park, he added, "which has put more pressure on roads, local schools and GP surgeries."
But Robin Sargent, county councillor for Sprites division in Ipswich, said: "Suffolk County Council has applied for outline planning permission to build seven houses on a very small section of Ellenbrook Road playing field.
"This will be a good deal for our community. There are no plans to develop the remainder of the site, which is to be transferred to Ipswich Borough counil to become public open space."
There are two Ipswich venues to sign the petition - the Belstead Arms at the bottom of Bridgewater Road or to McCool's newsagents on Ellenbrook Green.
Objectors should also write to Ipswich Borough Council.
The proposals will go before Ipswich planners in August.
N What do you think? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk
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