Officials are recommending that playing fields next to the John Lloyd leisure centre on Windmill Lane be built on. There have been numerous objections to the plan which would see 70 houses constructed.

The application includes 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom houses and flats, all of which are indicated as being two storey. 30% of all house types would be affordable

The playing fields have been used for many years by St John University.

Three sports pitches are in regular use there by teams not associated with the university. As part of the previous development of the site – to provide the David Lloyd Leisure Centre (2001) – a s106 agreement was signed stating that the playing fields should be made available for a minimum of 16 hours per week.

The immediate surrounding area (Hull Road Ward) has a shortage of public space. In that regard, there are parallels with the Councils rush to build on playing fields at the former Manor and Lowfields school sites on the other side of the City.

In all cases the sites are mentioned in the emerging Local Plan but have not yet been subject to a public examination.

The plans are therefore premature and deny residents the opportunity to state their case to an independent inspector.