PEOPLE living in Fishponds have reacted with anger to plans to sell off part of a popular playing field for housing.

Residents say they are shocked by proposals to build homes on a section of Ridgeway Road playing field that backs onto dozens of houses.

They say the piece of land, bounded by Abingdon Road and Honiton Road, has been used as a place for children to play and people to walk their dogs for generations.

But Bristol City Council has unveiled plans to sell off the land as part of a proposal to improve nearly 200 parks and open spaces across the city over the next 20 years.

The project, which will be funded by selling off areas of parkland the council deems to be of low value, could see the rest of Ridgeway Road playing field revamped with a multi-use games area, new footpaths and training area, formal planting and seating. Resident Phil Hanby said a petition had been launched to fight the plans, which he understands could result in 79 homes being built on the site.

He said: "It will have such an impact on the local community. It will be unbelievable if they sell this off.

"We have 65 people signed up to an action group and we are all campaigning. It will not only affect the piece of land but the Harry Crook Youth Activity Centre as well, because the piece of playing field was used for activities.

"Local residents are up in arms over this. New homes could also create extra traffic along Abingdon Road, which is already a rat-run."

Mr Hanby, who is chairman of the Coombe Brook Valley Action Group, said the section of playing field being earmarked for homes had been used by residents for decades.

He said: "It's used for summer sports by Chester Park Infant School and the Harry Crook centre had pitches on there. Local people have their back gates fronting onto the field for access and send their kids out there – because it's surrounded by houses, it's more secure. People look after each other's kids, which is really nice."

The proposals were published as part of the council's Area Green Space Plan earlier this month.

The authority says no decisions have been made and people are being asked for their views over the next few months.

For more information on the plans, visit the council's website at www.bristol.gov.uk/agsp or call 922 3719 and ask to speak to a member of the Area Green Space Plan team.

The 62 sites earmarked for selling off:

Avonmouth and  Kingsweston:

part of Henacre open space

part of Merrimans Drive roundabout

part of Daisy Field (Portway Tip)

Moorend Gardens

part of Moorgrove open space

Napier Street park

part of Longcross woodland

Cook Street open space

Henbury and  Southmead:

part of Crow Lane open space

part of Arnall Drive

part of Okebourne Road

part of Elderberry Walk

Embleton Road children’s play area

Font Hill park

part of Trym Valley

Tranmere Avenue

Brentry Hill

Henleaze,  Westbury-on- Trym and Stoke Bishop:

none

Horfield and  Lockleaze:

Wellington Hill playing fields

Dovercourt Road open space

Muller Road recreation ground

Lockleaze open space

Eastville, Frome Vale and Hillfields:

land at rear of Abingdon Road –Ridgeway playing fields

Lodge Hill open space

Delabere Avenue

Gill Avenue

Bracey Drive open space

Begbrook Drive open space

Duchess Way open space

Snowden Road open space

Bishopston, Cotham and Redland:

none

Cabot, Clifton and Clifton East:

none

Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill:

St Jude’s Flats (Great Ann Street)

St George East and West:

Gladstone Street playground

part of Furber Road open space

Terrell Gardens

part of Plummer’s Hill

Bedminster and Southville:

none

Brislington East and West:

Newbridge Road open space

St Anne’s Park

Allison Avenue open space

Broomhill Road park

Bellroyd Avenue open space

Bonville Road open space

Broomhill Road (Emery Road)

Bishopsworth,  Hartcliffe and  Whitchurch Park:

King’s Head Lane park

Withywood Park (area to the rear of Paybridge Road)

land at junction of Keble Avenue and Huntingham Road 

Billand Close

Willmott Park

Valley Walk

Knowle, Filwood and Windmill Hill:

Bath Road open space

Higham Street open space

Bushy Park YMCA

Salcombe Road Rec

Hengrove and  Stockwood:

part of Briery Leaze

part of Hengrove Park

part of Sturminster Close

Craydon Road Triangle

Burnbush Close open space

Ladman Road and Bagnall Road

Ladman Road and bus terminus

Craydon Road open space

Maple Close

part of Hazelbury Road open space

Gillebank Close