WINCHESTER residents are concerned over new housing plans that could see children’s play areas built next to a busy road.

The city council wants to replace a playground and garages in Westman Road, Weeke, with 14 homes.

It also plans to mitigate the loss of open space by creating a new play area, but three of six short-term locations suggested to the community are based on grass in the middle of Fromond Road.

A Weeke resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I would much rather keep the playground. The plans the council suggest involve three areas near a major road which is a scary thought. We would lose a community facility and gain another that is dangerous.”

But Andrew Palmer, head officer for new homes delivery, said the Fromond Road space was already used as a play area by residents.

He said: “Our first concern is safety but people use that area already because it’s so well overlooked. We can make it look better and more usable. People vote with their feet, so if they are using it now already there must be a reason.”

The plans are for a mix of family housing and smaller accommodation to encourage downsizing.

The scheme would provide one four-bedroom, six three-bedroom and three two-bedroom houses along with two two-bed flats and two one-bed flats.

Residents on Winchester’s housing waiting list praised the plans and said it was a good opportunity.

Full-time mum Ellen Braime, 21, of Sussex Street, said: “We are in temporary accommodation in the city centre at the moment and would like to see a lot more of this kind of housing. It’s good to see the council is trying to solve the problem.”

Mr Palmer added: “We want to build houses that people want to live in and are proud to associate with the city council. We aren’t specifically targeting homes for the elderly, but wanted to offer housing for people downsizing because the Bedroom Tax has thrown up issues for many people.”

But Ruth Harrison, chairman of Weeke Tenants’ and Resident’s Association said the proposals were not suitable.

She said: “I agree with putting housing here because the population could explode. But there is very, very little here for me to be encouraged to downsize.”

The council’s next step is to appropriate the land before it can make a planning application.

Officers estimate building could begin in January or February 2014 if there are no delays in the planning process.