Basildon residents plan to lobby the council planning committee to make sure their local play area is protected.

More than 400 people signed a petition against plans to build homes on Eastley Park, near Basildon Hospital.

Peter Lavender, 70, of Rantree Fold, said: "It is not fair on the children. We plan to write to all the councillors on the planning committee about this."

The developers, Genesis Housing, say they will set up a new equipped play area and will leave a piece of land free for other activities.

Published Tuesday August 17, 2004

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