A new block of flats is coming to Ebley - but some residents fear children may have lost a play area.

Land next to Orchard Road will soon be the site of a two-storey block of flats, owned by Stroud District Council - though they will be market, not affordable, housing.

But residents on the road wrote to the council in opposition to the plans.

"This will see the demise of one of the last green spaces on the estate," one said.

 

"A space that is regularly used by residents with dogs and residents with children that have started to use the space for recreation."

This was echoed by ward councillor Jenny Miles at the planning meeting where the flat block was approved on Tuesday.

 

She told fellow councillors: "This piece of open ground is valued by a lot of people nearby.

"It is quite a densely populated area. They feel it would be an amenity they would miss."

Other councillors were less sure - one suggested it was only used by dog walkers - and quizzed council officers.

Officers replied that the council did not have activity data on the plot of land.

Moreover, they told councillors the land was not designated as a park and pointed instead to others within walking distance Victoria Park and Queen Elizabeth Park.

Despite the uncertainty, the planning committee approved the application.

Chair of the planning committee cllr Tom Williams ended the debate by saying: "I think it's a shame to lose that bit of grass.

"It provides a nice open entrance to the estate but I don't think that that's sufficient to justify refusal."