PLANS to transform one of Staveley’s oldest green spaces have been unveiled.

Local developer David Brockbank, who was behind the successful Mill Yard project, envisions the village’s ‘Big Meadow’ as a recreational and practical area.

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His ideas include constructing new homes, moving the recreation field onto the Big Meadow to allow the cricket club to go back by the river, a playground, space for allotments, an all weather pitch and an area for walking dogs.

There could also be a grasscrete car park close to the village hall to alleviate congestion, and the area of the meadow that regularly floods turned into a small lake.

Speaking at a Staveley with Ings Parish Council, Mr Brockbank said: “We believe that the village has issues with parking, safety, dog mess on footpaths and on sports facilities, and housing.

“Utilising the Big Meadow could provide an opportunity of overcoming these issues and could enable the provision of better facilities and infrastructure for the whole of the village, combined with redefining the current recreation field area.

“We completely understand the need to keep this meadow as large a green space as possible, whilst incorporating the needs of the village both now and in the future.”

He added: “I purchased the Big Meadow to give it to the village, for the benefit of everyone who lives, works, and visits our dynamic and thriving community.

“We have made some initial suggestions, and are asking everyone to contribute their ideas in order to come up with a scheme which the whole village believes will help secure the future of Staveley as a vibrant and dynamic community.”

Local resident David Winnard said at the meeting people had voiced concern over the transformation of an area that has for many years been a green space.

He said some people at the meeting were not happy with the idea to de-classify the land from being a green space in order to develop it.

The plans will go up for public consultation in either October or November.