PROPOSALS to sell off Wellington playing fields and part of Lockleaze open space have met with criticism from the people who use them.

In particular, the statement in the green spaces documentation that claimed Wellington "is little used for much of the week other than by dog walkers" has aggravated many residents.

The many community groups that use the fields – including Horfield Parish Church, Horfield Young People's Club and the 62nd Bristol Scouts – have all urged the council not to sell off the land.

Carol Chinn, of Lockleaze Voice, said: "It would be a brave person who tries to develop that land.

"It's not gone down well; everyone is absolutely furious.

"We spent four years consulting with the council and said 'no', and then it turns up in the green spaces document."

Mrs Chinn's husband Martin is the chair of the group, and told the Evening Post around 150 people turned up to a meeting they organised, such was the level of local concern about the proposals.

Manor Farm Boys' Club is based opposite the field and uses it two or three evenings a week for sports, for 60 children aged eight to 16.

Group leader Rob Webber said: "We're both surprised and disappointed the council would consider selling the field.

"The picture they've painted of it not being used is not the case.

"Any given month, particularly in the summer, it's thriving with young people enjoying sports and recreational activities. I played on the field when I was a young lad and that was 35 years ago."

Geoff Stock co-founded Horfield Young People's Club in 1975 and it has been going strong ever since.

He said: "I'm 100 per cent against developing the field. It's an essential part of our activities. It's always been a very popular club, and we now have dads who used it as kids brining their own children."

Sam Thomson of the Friends of Horfield Common told the Post her group was "fundamentally opposed" to the principal of selling off any green spaces.

She said they supported the idea of investment but believed there were other ways to find the money.

Ms Thomson said: "I do think the council has been good at engaging with us but we will still criticise the plans because we don't agree with them. We absolutely do not agree with Wellington being sold.

"The loss of green spaces does not outweigh the benefit."

The Friends group supports the idea of improvements to the Ardagh Sports Centre on Horfield Common.

But it disagrees with some of the individual proposals, including any suggestion of closing the tennis courts or bowling green.

Instead the Friends want to work with the council to find alternate sources of funding to improve the building and courts.

Despite community groups such as Lockleaze Voice saying none of Lockleaze open space should be developed, the council believes the area needs a "master plan".

This would include some new housing on part of the park, as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour, but at the moment the authority is not saying where those houses might be.

Residents showed they were unhappy with the idea during the summer, at a series of "protest picnics" against the green space proposals.

The two other green areas put forward for disposed are the open space at Dovercourt Road and part of the Muller Road recreation ground.

The council has put forward a number of ideas for areas that could be improved when money raised from land sales is reinvested over the 20-year period of the project.

Although it will not have the money to fund them all, the authority wants residents to say which they would prefer.

Proposed improvements for Horfield and Lockleaze include new children's play areas at Monks' Park, Purdown, Poets' Park and Muller Road.

Gainsborough Square could also be redesigned, with new entrances, planting, footpaths, better lighting and public art.

Sports areas could also be upgraded at Dorian Road and Bonnington Walk playing fields.

Council spokeswoman Helen Hewitt 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.

"At this stage no decisions have been made. We are urging local people to take a close look at the options and have their say about what they think should happen."

To view the detailed proposals go to www.bristol.gov.uk.

What do you think of the proposals for your area? Email s.rkaina@bepp.co.uk or write to Sam Rkaina, Evening Post, Temple Way, Bristol, BS99 7HD