RESIDENTS living in three Pontypool streets are joining forces to oppose the building of houses on their local green.

Bron Afon Community Housing has submitted a planning application to Torfaen council to build 11 homes on the grassland between East Street, North Street and High Street, Pontypool.

A petition started by residents has already attracted 300 signatures, 123 of which were collected in the first two days.

JosephDavies, 70,whosigned the petition, said: “It’s a downright disgrace.

I think it should be fenced off and made nice for children to play.”

More than 40 residents visited an open day last week at Pontypool Working Men’s Club to ask questions of Bron Afon.

Mother of seven DebbieNewman takes her children to play on the grass, and said: “There is nowhere for the children to play, you would think they would build a park there. Children use it for football, the last thing we want is houses there.”

Bron Afon knocked on doors in the area in November 2011 to tell residents about the plan to build 11 homes, bungalows and houses, on the site.

These plans have now been submitted to Torfaen County Borough Council.

Bron Afon’s director of property, Dave Sharman, said: “We held this event to show local residents the plans we have submitted to the council. This was to make sure people in the area have lots of information.”

Residents are invited to give their views to the council by writing to Sarah Hensby, 4th Floor County Hall, Cwmbran, Torfaen, NP44 2WN, quoting application 12/P/00053, by March 6. For more information, call 01633 647313.