A PROPOSED new law to protect playing fields across Wales was rejected by a committee of AMs.

Campaigners battling to prevent the development of community play spaces are angry that a legal opportunity has been lost.

Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales Janet Ryder said the concerns of communities about the loss of their public open spaces had been ignored.

Had the committee backed the move by Plaid AM Dai Lloyd, it could have progressed to become a measure, or Welsh law.

But members of an Assembly legislation committee decided there were already enough safeguards within the systems.

Save Open Spaces campaigner Lynne Hayes, of Wrexham, said: "I am extremely disappointed that the powers that be in Cardiff Bay have decided that it is not necessary for local authorities to involve local communities in the decisions to dispose of local playing fields.

“Without public consultation, very often, playing field disposals are railroaded through the planning process as a short-term solution in order to balance shortfalls in Local Authority budgets.

"In the long term, it is always the local communities that suffer from a lack of playing space.”

Mrs RyderŠsaid: “Communities across Wales are seeing playing fields and public open spaces come under threat from development.

“In many areas we need more not fewer playing fields if we're to provide opportunities for children and young people to play and exercise.

"In many cases, councils are not consulting local communities adequately or undertaking a full assessment of such a sell-off on the health and well-being of that communities."

She said that people in Coedpoeth near Wrexham were concerned about the loss of public open space for more housing in the village.

Committee chair Rosemary Butler said: “We are not convinced that the proposed Measure is necessary to achieve the stated aim.

“Furthermore, we believe that there may be more straightforward means of achieving the aim without recourse to legislation.”

The committee heard there has been a net gain in playing fields and sports pitches across Wales in recent years.