Plans to build on an "informal play area" have been approved despite dozens of objections.

An application to build seven bungalows on land between Billberry Close and Albert Road in Whitefield has been given the go-ahead even though children regularly use the grassy areas.

The homes, proposed by applicant Venturia Limited, would be a mixture of six two-bedroomed semi-detached bungalows and a one-bedroomed detached bungalow under the plans.

Discussing the application at a planning committee meeting, Cllr Lucy Smith said there are other areas that could be used by developers that would not impact the community as much.

She said: “We're not against the development of new houses and have really welcomed new homes in the area but we want to get the right houses in the right places.

“This land is protected as recreation land, it is well used by the community, and brings many local benefits beyond just being a green space.”

She added that the next closest green space, on Thatch Leach Lane, is prone to flooding and some residents in the area bought their homes because of the extra green space.

Cllr Smith also said that removing the open land would have a "negative impact" on the community and she would be happy to help find alternative locations for building plans.

Another issue she raised was the need for good-quality family housing, something councillors believed the development would not fulfil as the bungalows are more suited to an ageing population.

In June 2018 permission was refused to cease the use of the open land as amenity space as the land was being well used by the local community.

However, that application was not supported by a robust open space assessment, as in the current case.

It was also said that natural green spaces and children’s play provisions are sufficient in the area because of the nearby park.

The assessment also said that the site at Albert Road and Bilberry Close was not “considered suitable for young people's play provision, allotments or as a park due to its limited size, configuration being adjacent to existing housing and roads”.

A motion was proposed to reject the plans but council officers reminded councillors that there were no grounds to refuse the application. 

The site was “not considered suitable for young people's play provision, allotments or as a park due to its limited size, configuration being adjacent to existing housing and roads”, according to a report prepared for the meeting.

After the debate, councillors voted to approve the application as long as a section 106 agreement, which is a contribution to developments, to pay off off-site biodiversity mitigation.