A CAMPAIGN group set up to save green space in York has published an alternative to a development proposed by the council in a bid to save a playing field.

City of York Council has previously revealed plans to build 140 new homes, including social rented homes and bungalows for older people, on Lowfield Green, the site of the former Lowfields School, which closed almost 10 years ago.

The scheme, which will cost between £18 million and £20 million, would not be the responsibility of a private developer, meaning the council would have much more say on what can be built on the site.

However, the Save Lowfields Playing Fields Action Group is unhappy with the proposed plans, as they would remove the former school playing fields.

Cllr Andrew Waller, of the Lib Dems, said the current plans would cause a loss of public space and could cause a rat run through the estate.

This week, the campaign group has published its own development plan which it says could conserve the playing field while still allowing about 200 new homes and flats to be built on the site of the former school buildings.

In a letter given out to local residents, the group said the field had been used until 2011 by the Lowfields School and York High School, before being used by local club Woodthorpe Wanderers.

It reads: “The draft Local Plan confirms that there is a shortage of public open space and sports pitches in the Westfield Ward. The council says that the Wanderers can transfer to existing pitches on Chesneys Field. Chesneys Field has been used by local football and rugby clubs for over 30 years. Pitches there are not a replacement, much less additional.

“Replacement football pitches have been offered at a site off Sim Balk Lane near Bishopthorpe. This is over two miles from Lowfields and does not even have a direct public transport link.”

The group says residents are also unhappy about the expansion of the planned proposal, which was originally pitched as 72 homes in 2010, to 165 homes and 80 care beds in 2017.

The letter said: “The development is now of a much higher density than the surrounding suburban area.”

Councillor Sam Lisle, the city council's executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods, said: “In October we submitted a planning application for much-needed homes and accommodation for older people in the city. The plans include accommodation for over 55’s including flats and bungalows, family housing, York’s first self-build housing plots to be offered by the council, land for community-led housing group YorSpace, a health hub and nearly two acres of public open space.

“Further to extensive consultation prior to submitting the application we welcome comments on the plans.”

The current plans can be commented on until November 15 by emailing planning.comments@york.gov.uk quoting reference 17/02429/OUTM or 17/02428/FULM.