CRICKLADE parents are unhappy with plans to build sheltered flats on a green space and play area opposite the town's junior school.

Wiltshire County Council decided to sell the land in Bath Road to West-lea Housing Association so accommodation for the elderly can be built there.

The area is near the St Sampson's Church and is flanked by Cricklade Fire Station, existing sheltered accommodation in Heberden House and the after school club Smart Zone.

The site is also a de-scheduled ancient monument and development wouldn't be permitted without an investigation to a standard required by the county archaeologist as well as planning approval from North Wilts District Council.

On Monday, county councillors opted to sell nearly three-quarters of the 0.37-acre site and rent the remaining at peppercorn rent to the town council so it could be used as a play area.

So far 260 people have signed a petition against the plans because they feel development would destroy a green space at the heart of the town.

Becky Austen, 31, has three children, Megan, 10, Laura, eight, and Alice, five, who all attend St Samp-son's Junior and Infants Schools.

She said: "Most people have used this park since they were children and it is still well used after school every day.

"There are a lot of working parents and it is the only time, after they have picked up their children from school, they can spend with them in the open air."

Jane Templeton, 38, said her two children Elizabeth, six, and Will, three, regularly use the space.

She said: "I have written letters to the town council and the MP to try and save more land than they intend to give us. There will not be enough space for them to run around let alone much play equipment.

Karen Todd, 43, who has one son, Matthew, 10, said more housing would increase congestion and be potentially dangerous for children crossing the road.

She said: "There have already been problems when the fire station had a call out and parked cars were blocking their way. More housing would just make this worse."

The area is also used by the after school club Smart Zone.

Jessica Loader, 10, attends the club after finishing her day at St Sampson's Junior School.

She said: "It is a good place to hang out with your mates. The other park always has teenagers and this is the only one for younger children to go to. We want to save our park."

Clive Wilce, chairman of Crick-lade Town council, said plans to build sheltered flats on part of the site would help plug the shortage of accommodation for elderly in the town. He said: "This is a one time opportunity for the elderly in Cricklade.

"Currently, our elderly people when they become unwell or unable to look after themselves, are shipped around Wiltshire and Gloucestershire and put into nursing homes.

"They have to leave the town they were born in and get cut off from relatives and friends.

"We are trying to be fair to everybody and retain some open space for a play area."

He added that green space will still be available at Fairview Fields and near the leisure centre.