More than 400 people have signed a petition in bid to protect playing fields from development.

Nonprofit organisation Nonsuch Abbeyfield has applied for planning permission to build housing for elderly people on part of the fields in Old Schools Lane, Ewell Village.

It wants to build 60 apartments with 24-hour care as well as creating an all-weather floodlit pitch, grass pitch, cricket pitch and a modern pavilion on the rest of the site.

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Ewell Castle School students play on the fields in Ewell

Andrew Tibble, chairman of Old Schools Lane Playing Fields User Group, said they are handing out posters and flyers to oppose the plans.

He raised concerns over damage to character of the village, increased traffic risks, loss of trees, construction on a flood plain area, loss of soccer pitches and reduced cricket facilities.

He said Abbeyfield now plans to partner with Epsom Sports Club (ESC) which means Old Salesians FC and Worcester Park Cricket Club face "eviction".

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He said: "It is most regrettable that effectively local and equally respected sports organisations are set against each other.

"We further respect the identified need for such ‘extra care’ accommodation given demographics, however we deem the likely impact both environmentally and in sporting terms to be unacceptable."

The user group’s online petition said: "Act now, and join us to stop developers building on Old Schools Lane playing fields in the heart of the village.

"Don't let the developers irrevocably change this unique area which contributes to Ewell's special conservation area character. Protect your village. Join our campaign and say no!"

People were invited to air their views at the Ewell Village Residents’ Association meeting at Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, on Wednesday, April 16.

The planning statement outlines a need for housing for elderly people with care on site.

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It said: "We consider that the loss of an area with one main playing pitch will be more than offset by the provision of the new well drained pitches including an all weather surface that will allow greater intensity of use to be made of these."

It said Abbeyfield and ESC are commited to ensuring "the playing fields are used to the maximum benefit of the local community".

View the plans, with reference 14/00001/FUL, on the Epsom Council website at eplanning.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/online-applications.

See the petition at www.petitions24.com/save_ewell_playing_fields.

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Andrew Tibble, chairman of Old Schools Lane Playing Fields User Group