PLANS to extend a community centre are facing opposition over the loss of its play area and five-a-side football pitch.

Following a public consultation in July, East Dorset District Council submitted a scheme to build an in-fill extension at the Heatherlands Community Centre in Barns Road, Ferndown, refurbishing the interior to provide a 'multi-use community hub' containing council and NHS facilities.

At present, the rear of the building hosts a hardstanding football pitch and small play area, but residents fear it will be replaced with a 30 space car park if plans are approved.

A petition against this aspect of the plan has gathered some 130 signatures in the local community.

In objections submitted to council planners, residents aired their views.

Dawn Williams, of Dugdell Close, said: "Now you want to take away a safe place for older kids to play so basically turning them out to play on the streets where they can get hurt, sorry but another car park is not needed as there is one opposite and plenty of road parking around.

"Seems kids are not allowed to play and be kids any longer in this country."

Eleanor Hammock, of Medway Road, said: "We feel that having a car park at the back of the Heatherlands will have a detrimental effect on the young residents around the area who use it to play safely away from traffic."

The council recently announced plans to extend the play area at Dugdell Close, incorporating a 'multi-use games area', to compensate for the loss of the play area at Heatherlands, with work due to begin in January.

Cllr Steve Lugg, ward councillor for Ferndown Central, told the Echo the work was inspired by residents' comments at a public event displaying the Heatherlands Plans.

However residents the Echo contacted claimed the new facilities would not make up for the loss of the Heatherlands site.

Sue Lory, whose 11-year-old son uses the play area, said: "It feels like something is being done to us without us being asked, the council clearly has their agenda and they are going to do that.

"There are always kids there, and older teenagers use it a lot to play football. The play area at Dugdell Close is not an adequate replacement, it is very small in comparison, and very close to residents' properties. It is really meant for younger children."

Also, she said, clubs using the centre, including the ju-jitsu club and Heatherlands Scouts, have expressed concerns that a rise in fees could force them out.