RESIDENTS in Bishopsworth are worried that part of a popular park near their homes might be sold off for housing.

A strip of land could be sold off for housing at Kings Head Lane Park to pay for improvements in the rest of the open space. But the idea has been slammed by Tory councillor Richard Eddy, who represents the ward.

He said: "The Area Park and Green Spaces Plan is a good idea as far as it goes, as it will allow the reinvestment of monies raised by the disposal of surplus low grade leisure land, but this is a step too far.

"Kings Head Lane Park is a much valued local resource and only last year we invested £112,000 in a new children's play area.

"In the original consultation on the Area Park and Green Spaces Plan, the majority of people who responded wanted to reserve Kings Head Lane Park for recreational use.

"I'm appalled that the city council now wishes to ignore that earlier consultation and I hope that people concerned by the move will turn up in droves at the public meeting to find out what is proposed."

He has now organised a public meeting with fellow ward councillor Kevin Quartley so that residents can discuss the issue. It will be held on Tuesday, October 12, at the URC church hall, starting at 7pm.

Kings Head Lane Park, which is bordered by Kings Head Lane, Vicarage Road and Watchill Avenue, contains well-used football pitches and a bowls club.

There is a changing room block in the north of the park, and a disused tennis court is used as a car park for the bowls club.

In its Area Green Spaces Plan the council suggests selling off a strip of the park behind the houses in Vicarage Road and using the funds to:

● Remove hedges to road boundaries to open up views into the park.

● Widen and improve entrances to the park.

● Demolish the changing rooms and build new ones, together with a cafe and toilets.

● Create a wetland area in the vicinity of the former play area.

● Create a formally laid out dog-free area with ornamental planting and seating.

● Plant trees and create new pathways.

● Build a youth shelter close to Kings Head Lane.

The council says the citywide Area Green Spaces Plan and site allocations document follows years of work by council officers.

They give local people some suggested ideas of what the next 20 years could bring in terms of investment in parks and land disposals.

A spokeswoman said: "We know people are very passionate about their parks and open spaces and many want to see improvements in the parks near where they live. To achieve these improvements we need to have robust strategic plans in place, which will inform future council decision-making.

"At this stage no decisions have been made. We are now going out to consult with local people to ask them what they think."

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

The consultation period ends on October 29 and then a report is expected to be drawn up and put before the council's Liberal Democrat-run cabinet.