THE creation of a play park has been halted by developers after outraged residents came out in protest.

Residents of Kingshill Meadow in Cirencester said they felt “duped” when they found out the park was being constructed just a few metres from their front doors.

The residents said they had no idea the park would be built when they moved into their new homes on Matthews Walk, which was first developed about three years ago.

They added that when the temporary sales building on the development was taken away, work began on the park which is less than two metres away from some houses. There are fears that it will create noise and attract anti-social behaviour.

“The first we knew about it was when the workmen showed up,” said Sarah Lawlor who lives nearby.

“My daughter’s room will overlook the park, it’ll only be a few metres away, how is she supposed to get to sleep with teenagers playing?

“We bought this house because it’s detached and wouldn’t be noisy. We definitely would not have bought it if we knew that they would be building a park a metre from the house.”

The residents said that in the original plans they saw, the area was labelled as open space and made no mention of the park.

The proposed park is also very close to Mulberry Court; an assisted living complex for vulnerable adults who say they are worried about the number of teenagers it will bring to the area.

Developer Berkeley Homes has now halted the work. Managing director Rameen Firoozan said: “We have decided to hold fire while we talk to the people concerned.”

Residents were also annoyed that Cotswold District Council had allowed planning permission for a park so close to homes.

A spokesman from the council said: “The plans have been approved and we are not aware of any non-conformity on the part of the developer.

“Residents would have had sight of the planned layout before they chose to move but if they have concerns about the proposed play area we recommend that they take this up with the developer.”