Campaigners who say a playing field should not become part of Spalding Cemetery say they’re preparing for action.
South Holland District Council says ‘no decision has been made’ on Chiltern Drive Playing Field being turned into space for burials.
But campaigners say they believe the authority is working to make the pitch part of the cemetery, following new survey work being carried out there recently.
In 2015 the council did apply to do that, saying it had only four years of land left for burials.
However, its own Planning Committee turned the change of use planning application down following strong objections from nearby residents and Sport England.
The cemetery has not been extended since, but last May eagle-eyed neighbours of Chiltern Drive spotted it was being measured up.
The council said it was looking at a number of options and in October Coun Elizabeth Sneath, the authority’s portfolio holder for conservation and heritage said: “There’s no easy option. We’re going to see if there’s other green land but most of it is brownfield and allocated for housing.”
Clare Moore is one of those who campaigned against the loss of the playing field in 2015, and says she will object to it again.
“Even though the plans are not in yet, they are definitely looking into it further,” she said. “I think it shouldn’t be underestimated how important the field is for people to socialise not only for children but also for adults, to have that green space to go to is just so vital for exercise and general wellbeing.
“From the field you can walk traffic-free to the Vernatts Nature Reserve along the river banks or Daffodil Walk.
“The field is not only used by the residents of the Ladywood estate but also by people from other parts of the town.
“School children use the route to cycle safely to and from school. If access is blocked, which we believe they are proposing, they will no longer be able to do so and would have to cycle along the busy main road.”
Mrs Moore says she has contacted MP Sir John Hayes and Play England.
A response from Play England to her states: “The council will need to demonstrate very clearly what has materially changed since the previous refusal.
“Without that, the proposal is likely to conflict with national planning policy.”
