"LIVES could be put at risk." That is the message from worried locals over plans to build new homes on a former play area in Redditch.

The Advertiser recently reported that residents on Edgeworth Close in Church Hill have raised a number of serious concerns over plans for 19 affordable homes, with 38 parking spaces.

The site is located at the end of Edgeworth Close, currently used as public space and routes through to the centre.

The site originally had a play area to the centre of the site until it was replaced with heathland.

One local, Janis Thompson, said the area is simply not big enough and the planned entrance to the site will restrict access to people's garages and even houses.

"The space around here is so tight at the moment," she said.

"I have trouble getting my car in and out of my garage - and that's if someone is not blocking it. I hate to think what it would be like with more homes and more cars, and even before that all the building work and traffic associated with that.

"The streets and roads are so narrow and there is a number of blind bends.

"We're all worried there will be an accident. When the playground was taken away there was nowhere for the kids to play - so they play in the roads."

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She added: "These homes will completely destroy our way of life. It's going to mean a lot of us won't actually have access to our own houses."

One local, who said she had lived there for 34 years, said: "People already race around here now. We are all worried a child will be killed."

"We had a lovely park here - we don't know why it was taken off us."

Other residents said that despite approaching the council on numerous occasions they feel like they have been ignored and made to feel they don't matter.

Apart from car parking and traffic, other concerns include the removal of a hedgerow along the path at the side of 99 Edgeworth Close, and people being overlooked by the new houses.

Councillor Mike Rouse, Church Hill Ward, said: "The land was declared surplus some time ago, and our local partners in the area ran a consultation, which involved literature going to every house in the area and face-to-face sessions at Willow Trees Community Centre. We are listening.

"I agree there is a slight issue with visibility, but that's because of the vegetation that needs cutting back not the garages themselves, which will remain in place and accessible.

"The County Council Highways experts have assessed the issues here and don't have any objections."

He added: "With over four million trees in Redditch it's simply not true that everything green has to come down; we are talking about one hedgerow, however I will make enquiries to see what else can be done in terms of screening as an alternative set of options might be available."

A consultation took place at the Willow Trees Community Centre last year where a number of issues were raised.

Construction consultancy firm Baily Garner said it has looked to "take comments on board and developed a design response to these".