By Saul Cooke-Black

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new car park in Randwick have been put on hold.

The parish council put forward a proposal to increase parking spaces by concreting over a section of the playing fields near to the village hall.

However, some residents do not think it is necessary and say they have not been properly consulted.

"We don't understand why these plans were not shared earlier," said Dan Warner, who lives nearby in The Lagger.

"The car park is much too large under the new plans.

"It will take away a lot of playing space on the village green.

"It has upset a lot of people.

"We want to work with the parish council and we don't want it to be a conflict, but the issue is the lack of consultation."

The parish council confirmed at a meeting yesterday evening that the plans had been put on hold after members were informed the playing fields are registered as a village green.

They are now consulting with the district and county councils to discuss the legal position of building on the green.

Members of the parish council say the current parking facilities need to be improved and expanded.

They say due to lack of parking space, cars have to park on the playing fields which erodes the grass.

But some residents are concerned at the size of the proposed parking area, fearing it could stop children playing on the fields.

District councillor Mark Rees (Labour, Cainscross) urged members of the parish council to listen to the voices of residents.

He said the public must trust the parish council but that councillors must listen to their views to find a resolution.

The plans have been in place for more than a year but opponents say the council has not done enough to make people aware of them.

However, members of the parish council said the plans had been discussed several times at meetings.

More than 60 people have signed a petition calling on the parish council to delay work until further consultation is carried out.