Residents launch petition because they do NOT want children's play area on their estate in Milton Keynes

The petition was launched this month on the 38 Degrees platform after plans were published for the brand new children’s play area at Shenley Church End.

The proposed site is a large open space called Aldwyck’s Field, which was once used as a sports ground but is now designated for leisure use. And the project will include play zones for toddlers, juniors and older children, alongside an adult fitness area and community orchard spaces.

Many residents have welcomed the proposal, saying it will be an asset to the community, but a few are objecting wholeheartedly to the loss of natural open space.

They have published appeals on social media asking people to sign their petition, stating: 'Urgent community warning - the council is rushing a proposal through to use up to a third of our field for play areas… Save Aldwyck’s Field and designate it with Local Green Space Protection.”

The petition, which currently has more than 230 signatures, can be viewed here.

It says: “Many of us have lived in this area for a many years and others have just moved here but the one thing we have in common, no matter what age or background, is the love we have for the open aspect, the closeness to nature it provides and the existing simple pathway around the green; this 2'closeness' brings the community closer to one another too. Residents and visitors come here for informal recreational sports, picnics, or to simply sit on the bench or grass to relax and breathe in the calm serene surroundings...

“Many people have come to love the character of this green space and are vehemently opposed to it being partly changed into multiple playgrounds just because there Section 106 funding from a developer to mitigate the impact of their developed estate outside this parish on our area so exacerbating the impact by altering our green when there are plenty of play areas already in existence in this area which need reimagining and refurbishment.

"We need to stop this now… Stand together to protect Aldwycks field for the future.”

The objectors say the new play area will bring a high risk of anti-social behaviour, have a negative effect on biodiverse habitats, leave less space for informal recreation and destroy the peaceful open character of the open space.

However, other residents have criticised their stance and accused them of being ‘NIMBYs’.

"Sorry, you want to stop children from having somewhere to play?” wrote one surprised reader on social media, while another stated: “Kids need spaces to play, this is so utterly stupid. Build the park, might start a campaign to ask the council to install a bigger one.”

Other say anti-social behaviour would be more likely in an open field while some said they would far rather have a play park than a block of flats.

The petition is being sent to MK City Council and also Shenley Church End Parish Council, who are backing the council;s proposals.

A public meeting is to be held about the matter on Thursday August 20 between 5.30pm and 7pm at the parish council offices in Shenely Road.