A PROPOSED residential development by Redditch Council has been described as “barbaric” by a Lodge Park resident.

The council has made a planning application for houses to be built on the land between Skilts Avenue and Lodge Pool Drive but residents are furious that the area, which has been used for years by children as a play area, could be taken away from the community.

Colin Kershaw, of Wirehill Drive, said: “The parents of many children here are concerned by the loss of the children’s playing area, which has given pleasure to the children around the area for years, including my own kids.

“There are also two beautiful oak trees there and to take away trees that have been there for hundreds of years is seen by the residents here as nothing short of unbelievable and barbaric.”

He was also concerned about the availability of parking if new houses were built and hoped this application was not being made by the council so close to Christmas as an excuse to hide bad news when other things are going on.

Rob Kindon, Redditch Council’s property services manager, said that a programme of possible development sites is being assembled called Land4Leisure and funds raised from the sale of sites on this programme could fund further leisure provision.

“A number of sites have already been identified and are being appraised by property services,” he said.

“If considered suitable, the council may decide to sell the land and submit an application for outline planning permission.

“It is the decision of the planning committee whether or not to grant planning permission.”

As part of the planning application process, residents are given the opportunity to comment on the application and speak to the planning committee before it takes its decision.