Concerned residents have backed a petition to save a much-loved play area in their village.

Malpas parish councillor Charles Lowick Higgie has been the spearhead of the campaign to protect greenfield land from being used by developers Stuart Milne Homes after planning permission for 60 homes was granted to build next to the field at West End Farm.

Trustees of Malpas Recreation Ground have reached an agreement with both the developers and the Charity Commissioners to sell an area of land at the bottom of the recreation ground to be used as a site office and temporary car park while work is completed, and widen the access lane to the proposed development, but angry residents believe they need planning permission to do this too.

In an ‘overwhelming’ show of community unison, more than 200 villagers have signed the petition to oppose the sale, which they believe could be dangerous for children.

Mr Higgie said: “Malpas Recreation Ground is the main playing field in Malpas. Although it’s only a small slice of land they want to use, I don’t see why they would take away some of the land that is being used to make sure children can play safely in the village.

“Although planning permission to rip out a hedge and to set up a site office is not always needed, surely planning permission is needed to replace the hedge with increased highway width? And the increased traffic would surely cause more dangers to children.

“As for the Trustees, the sheer away some of the land that is being used to make sure children can play safely in the village.

“As such they (the trustees) should not be selling part of it, nor giving permission for a site offices and a car park to a neighbouring developer,” he added.

Part of the recreation area is currently used as Malpas Alport Primary School pupils’ play area but Mr Higgie also says the school were not fully consulted of the plans and the petition urges the trustees not to allow any work to be done until this has taken place.

However, a statement from the trustees said: “Following lengthy negotiations and detailed discussions, the recreation ground trustees have reached an agreement with both the Charity Commissioners and the developer of West End Farm, Stuart Milne Homes.

“Work on the site is expected to start immediately, with the hedge bordering Hughes Lane, being removed, the land levelled out, and an area being fenced off from the rest of the Recreation Ground.

“A construction mitigation plan which ensures public safety during the work operations has been agreed between the developer and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“The agreement is financially favourable to the trust, will make no difference to the use of the recreation ground, enable further enhancement of existing play equipment and ensure the long term future of this valuable village asset.

“On completion of the development, the trustees are willing to undertake a community consultation on whether the worker’s car park is made into a permanent car park for the benefit of children who attend Malpas Alport Primary School, or returned to a grassy area.

“The agreement contains a number of options that will impact on land owned by the trustees, including a site office and a temporary workers’ car park located at bottom of the recreation ground,” the statement read.