PLANS to sell off a school playing field to build new homes have come under fire from a York councillor.

There are plans to turn a field along side Derwent Junior School, in Osbaldwick, over to developers to build 22 new homes and two new sports pitches backing on to Osbaldwick Lane.

But Coun David Wilde had criticised the scheme, saying too many school sports fields were being swallowed up by housing developments and local people needed to know more about it.

Coun Wilde also said a huge security fence around the development would keep out youngsters who wanted to use the pitch to play football.

Coun Wilde said: "There are still hundreds of school playing fields across the country disappearing under the bricks of developers.

"This playing field adjacent to Derwent School proposes to house 22 homes, taking up two-thirds of the site with only a third left over for new sports pitches.

"Also, there are plans for a huge security fence round the field which could cut out local kids just wanting to go on there for a kick around."

Head teacher Phil Hare said the project was at the very early stages and an outline planning application had been submitted to City of York Council. Along with 22 new homes, the plan provides for a flood-lit turf football pitch and a hard play multi-use games area.

Mr Hare, who has been head at Derwent Juniors for 15 years, said the school stopped using the field more than two years ago.

He said it was unsafe for kids to play on because it was littered with broken glass and dog dirt. Currently pupils used a secure football pitch behind the school.

Mr Hare said the new facility would benefit not only the 235 pupils at the school, but the community who would be able to use it on nights and at weekends.

Mr Hare said: "I think this presents a fantastic opportunity for the school and, while I agree that more needs to be done to consult with local people to iron out the issues, I am sure that this also presents a huge opportunity for the local community to get first-class facilities."

Coun Wilde said: "I'm not totally against the scheme, but I'd like to see it getting more consideration and consultation with locals."

Updated: 08:40 Monday, May 23, 2005