A New Malden green space could be scrapped in favour of two new homes.
Kingston Council will have to decide whether to approve an application to build two three bedroom semi detached homes in an abandoned playground in Fairmead Close in New Malden.
But Elm Road resident Michele Gibson, 55, who has an objection to the planning application, has argued the borough is losing its green spaces in favour of more and more developments and young children in the area are missing out.
She said: “There is nothing else around here. My partner grew up going to the playground, his sister used to play there. It is such a shame. It is a little oasis. People would not appreciate it being taken away.”
Kingston Council stopped plugging funds into the green space nearly a decade ago and it has not been a playground for more than 25 years.
The land which was sold on by the council through an auction at the end of August, has had a planning application for its development submitted by nearby Blakes Lane resident, Mr Thayaparan according to the council’s planning website.
But Miss Gibson said: “It is the only green space in reasonable proximity to many families who have small children. It is a little breath of fresh air and space for the surrounding streets and dwellings.
“The area is crowded enough as it is and there is also at present the inconvenience of the re-construction of Christ Church Primary School.”
The application has just had its consultation process come to a close and is now expected to be examined by a planning officer – although objections will be recorded until decision day on December 11.
The council said no objections had been received to date.
Earlier this week the London Assembly revealed that the mayoral strategy for biodiversity which protects green spaces and wildlife has not been updated for more than a decade.
A Kingston Council spokesman said: “The last use as a children’s playground ceased around 30 years ago.
"A decision to dispose of the land was taken to address the management issues with complaints from neighbours about youths loitering on the site creating a nuisance, and anti-social behaviour.”
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