Sports bosses object over plan to make sports green a play area

Sports chiefs have objected to plans to turn a disused north Shropshire bowling green into a children's play area. Residents are now set to meet with Shropshire Council tonight.

It comes after Sport England objected to plans for the community-led scheme in Stoke Heath, near Market Drayton.

Officials said the development, at the old bowling green in Dutton Close, would amount to the loss of a community sports facility.

But residents say they cannot understand why sports chiefs would oppose a scheme intended to promote health and wellbeing among the possible sports stars of the future.

In a statement sent to planners, John Berry, from Sport England, said: "Sport England will oppose the granting of planning permission for any development which would lead to the loss of, or would prejudice the use of, all or any part of a playing field."

A resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I feel very strongly about having a play park and area in which the children can play and be safe. We need the community to be pulled together and to see the play park would make Dutton Close a better place for the children and their friends."

The bowling green closed in 1995 and in August residents lodged a bid for planning permission with Shropshire Council.

People in Dutton Close have clubbed together to form a residents' association, which is currently progressing an application for £50,000 in lottery funding to kick-start the project.

A decision is due in the next few days.