PLANS to build a car park on a Colden Common greenspace have been given the green light – despite 'dividing the younger and elderly residents'.

Winchester City Council submitted an application to develop the small field in Moors Close, which received 13 letters in support, and 25 in objection.

Mother-of-four Nicola Baker, who has lived in the road for the last two-and-a-half years, told the Chronicle last month that the plans caused a “serious upset” between neighbours.

She said up to 20 children use the area at a time to play football, gymnastics and other activities almost every day.

But Cllr Izard, representing Colden Common Parish Council, told Winchester City Council planning committee quite the opposite on July 18.

He said that Moors Close residents told him that children playing on the green is "a rarity".

Cllr Izard added: "The parking situation in Moors Close came to my attention several years ago as the ward councillor. It is such a problem there, and it's just a shame the younger residents are against it, and the elderly are for it.

"I've been to a few meetings about the car park, which were unfortunately quite heated. But I believe this car park is very much a necessary addition to Moors Close."

Other councillors agreed that, without adding the car parking spaces, cars would be forced to park in the road, making it difficult for emergency services to get through.

The committee unanimously approved the application.

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Therese Evans, said: "This seems like a very good scheme, so congratulations to the planning officers who have clearly spent a lot of time on deciding what is best for the residents."