A popular children’s outdoor play farm park in Epsom has been hit with objections from neighbours over its new play area plan.

According to planning documents submitted in October, the new net park play area at Hobbledown in Horton Lane would offer a ‘volley ball style game’ with the ‘unique Hobbledown twist of giant inflatable balls’.

Hobbledown said the play area 'is a concept that is inkeeping with Hobbledown’s philosophy of natural challenging play'.

A spokeswoman said: "It is a play concept that is being widely developed in Europe but we would be one of the first to create such a play area in the UK.

"Prior to developing any new play area we carry out extensive research and as a result Hobbledown’s owners have visited 10 such play areas around Europe."

The plan includes the construction of two new wooden towers which, at nine metres, are taller than the nearby trees and wooden platforms with connecting walkways.

Matt Godden, who lives in South View, said: “There is already a noise restriction on the site and yet there has been no assessment of the increased noise levels associated with this proposed attraction or reference to any additional noise deadening measures.”

Andrew and Audrey Laird said: “Our house would be adversely affected such that the current limited barrier to sight and noise provided by the green belt between our house and Hobbledown would be insufficient to protect us from the new levels of structures and noise”.

Not everyone is completely against the expansion, however. There are currently nine objections and two neutral comments.

One neighbour said: “As a resident of Clarendon Park I generally regard Horton farm as a good neighbour - they provide recreation and play space and local employment.

“My experience of the management to date has been favourable. My one concern about the proposed development is that of the potential for extra noise being generated.”

In response, Hobbledown assured its neighbours that there would be no extra noise as young children, not adults or teenagers, would use the play area and the park’s opening hours were staying the same.