A row is brewing over plans by Telford & Wrekin Council to build a children’s play area on one of Wellington’s last remaining green spaces.
The scheme was backed by the town council this week, despite public opposition.
The borough council wants to build a children’s ball court near the pool in Dothill Park - but critics say the scheme would wreck local wildlife, including a swan nesting area.
The proposals went before members of Wellington Town Council for consideration on Tuesday.
Councillors voted 7-3 in favour of scheme.
Carol Brian, a former Friends of the Earth campaigner, who lives in Cound Close, said the decision was disappointing.
“The green area is something that people should protect and the play area could have been built on a disused site in Crescent Road,” she said.
“I think that many people in Wellington would be disappointed to hear that their Town Council has decided to back the proposals and that we will lose a treasured beauty spot. We want the area left alone because it is one of the few areas of natural beauty that we have left.
“If a games area is built, it would destroy local wildlife and prevent swans from nesting there because of the noise and disturbance that would be created as a result.”
Wellington Town councillor, Dorothy Roberts criticised the proposals at this week’s meeting.
She said: “I think that environmentally it is damaging to put this facility on a site which is of such interest for wildlife.”
But Karen Tomlinson, Mayor of Wellington, said environmental officers had assured them no wildlife, including the swans, would be affected.
Derek Owen, outdoor recreation officer for Telford & Wrekin added that during a public consultation, respondents had come out 2-1 in favour of the scheme.
The proposals are set to go to the borough council’s plan’s board shortly.
