A CAMBORNE town councillor has led an attack on plans by Coastline Housing to build 20 homes on a children's playground in the town.

Camborne Town Council's latest planning committee meeting heard of the plans which would enlarge part of the Parc-an-Tansys estate by building on the site of a playground and removing a public footpath in Meneth Road.

Councillor Jean Charman (Independent) said: "I am appalled that this green area, which is widely used by the community, should be considered for a high density development. Children use this space as a play area and the nearest park is too far away especially for the younger ones and if they lose this where are they going to play? Not only that but this is an important open space for the whole community to enjoy. Crushing in more houses will only create more social problems."

Councillor Dave Biggs (Conservative), who chaired the council's planning meeting, was delighted that there was a unanimous rejection of Coastline's plans, now go before Kerrier district council for consideration Speaking afterwards he said: "People need space to live and I don't think Coastline have taken on board the u-turn in government policy on the question of densification. This green space is an important part of the lives of the community and the drive for higher numbers of buildings should not be at the expense of the quality of lives."

Several members of the public were invited to speak and many had been unaware that plans had been submitted until visited by Councillors Charman and Biggs. There was an angry response to the proposal and plans are being made to form an action group.

After speaking to nearby residents Councillor Charman said: "There is a close correlation between high density housing developments and social deprivation. Creating more houses here will cause more problems not less."