RESIDENTS are again fighting plans to stop Torfaen’s biggest social landlord building homes on a green used by children for decades.

Pontypool families are going up against Bron Afon Community Housing to have the recreation area registered as a village green.

An independent enquiry was held this year to look at the plans to put up 11 homes on the North Road green off the High Street.

An inspector is expected to issue a report to Torfaen council later this month before a decision is made.

The plans came to light days after Bron Afon was given the go ahead to build five homes on another green in St Cadoc’s despite objections from more than 20 residents.

Nick Simons, of North Road, Pontypool, applied to have the play area registered as a green in summer 2012.

Mr Simons, 41, said: “For the last 30 to 40 years children have been using it to play football, cricket, rugby and with dogs.

“It is lovely to see and to take something like that away would be detrimental to the area.

“Pontypool is not a very rich area and every green you have got you try to keep.”

His daughter Beth, 16, said: “I don’t think it’s right because children play on it.”

North Road grandmother Pat Mruk, 61, said: “I’d rather they left it as it is. Lots of kids play there. My grandchildren use it now and again.”

Widow Liz Corfield, of North Road, told how her late husband, former Pontypool Community Councillor Huw Corfield, fought the plans with Mr Simons before his death.

Mrs Corfield, 59, said: “We want to keep it.

“I think it is very unfair on the private households. It might affect their property prices.”

A Bron Afon spokesman said: “We are waiting for Torfaen council to make a decision on the village green.

A Torfaen council spokesman said: “We are waiting for the inspector’s report, which we hope to receive in the next month, before a decision can be made.”