FURIOUS villagers are outraged that land-grabbing neighbours have tried to take part of a public play park for themselves.

Sections of a recreational area in Lydiard Millicent that children have enjoyed for 37 years are now cordoned off by householders planning to extend their gardens.

It is not known who owns the land, but one concerned resident was so appalled they fenced off half of the remaining land, including the swings, to stop anyone else from taking over the site.

He did not want to be named but told the Adver: “Everyone is up in arms about what’s happening to the play park. It’s shocking and it’s not right. I want to keep it as a community asset for public use, as it has been for decades.

“My kids use it all the time and it should not become a free-for-all. People complained about my fence but it’s just a protection measure and will be taken down once this is all sorted out.

“Wiltshire Council said it is not sure who owns the play park and the parish has no jurisdiction over it. We would be happy to help maintain it.”

Jennifer Watson has lived in the area for 31 years and is worried about the fence furore.

She said: “That park has always been a space that children and families regularly use, and it’s one of the few green areas that people who are infirm or disabled can use.

“I remember when children in this area campaigned to put that park there because they wanted somewhere to play. It’s not very big but it’s important to them.

“One neighbour tried to cordon off part of it without any prior notice and now everyone else wants a piece.

“I’m worried that it will become a narrow alleyway and won’t be usable as a park any more.

“We don’t want to fall out with anyone, we just want the people who did this to go through the proper channels and give other people living here a chance to object to it.”

Jennifer and her daughter Sarah made a sign directing people with concerns about the play park carve-up to email Wiltshire Council.

Pina Brown attached a notice to a mesh fence, which she put up sectioning off a part of the land that she hopes to change into a garden extension once her planning application is approved.

It reads: “We hope this is not too overwhelming. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

She told the Adver: “I’ve been here for 23 years and the play park has fallen into disrepair. The grass gets mowed but the swings and rocking horse are rusting and need attention or replacing.

“It’s not somewhere I would bring my toddler and it’s not used as often as everyone says it is. They use the nearby sports field instead, which is much bigger.

“I’m not averse to keeping it as a public space but at the same time, if there’s an opportunity to extend my garden, I will take it.”

Villagers admitted that the mesh fence could easily be taken down but they did not wish to cause more problems.

Pina's next door neighbour, has already extended his garden on to the site and has put up a wooden fence with a concrete base. He did not wish to comment.

Coun Mollie Groom of Wiltshire Council was approached for comment but could not reply before our deadline.

A parish council meeting with this issue at the top of the agenda is being held at the Lydiard Millicent village hall tomorrow at 7.30pm.