PASSIONATE campaigners are fighting to protect a part of Netherton Park that "should be enjoyed by everyone" from being fenced off and built on.

Dudley Council is planning to build a nursery facility on land adjacent to Netherton Park Nursery School, to provide more places for two to four-year-olds in the area.

But the site has been branded "totally unsuitable" by Friends of Netherton Park, who claim the existing nursery, which has been expanded several times, has led to congestion and parking problems in the surrounding streets.

The group is also concerned that the development would exacerbate current problems with flooding and sewage leaks.

Vicky Duckworth, a former teacher and spokesman for the group, said a 12 foot high section of bank has been eroded by a water outflow pipe downhill of the site and sewage recently leaked from a manhole cover - leaving sanitary products and the smell of chemicals behind.

She continued: "We have no objections to new places being created for local children - Netherton Park Nursery is a valued part of the area - but it is our view that the proposed site is totally unsuitable. This wildlife area should be enjoyed by everyone.

"There are already problems with parking, flooding and sewage that we feel would get worse if the plans were to go ahead."

Meg and Rob Grainger, who live on Arch Hill Street, the main access road to the nursery, said they regularly have their drive blocked by cars.

They said they feared the traffic situation would get worse with even more staff and children using the cul-de-sac, adding: “There are too few parking places available and no designated drop off area.”

Losing wildlife was also a major concern for Mike Willets, a member of the Friends group, who said: "The area is only just starting to get bats and owls back.

“With more development we'll lose them."

The group has planted flowers and a memorial tree on the proposed site - which leads to the only lowland heathland in the borough and has been designated a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation – and is urging the council to consider an alternative location.

However a design and access statement submitted as part of the planning application said it was "essential" that the new building was located adjacent to the existing school "so the staff, resources and facilities of the Ofsted outstanding rated school can be shared".

The statement also says the site it is currently unused, other than as a "cut through to the area of the park which is utilised for substance abuse and occasionally dog fighting".

Claims of dog fighting have been dismissed by West Midlands Police, who said there have been "no reports” and that drug use at the park is "no more excessive than in any other areas".

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member responsible for planning, said concerns had been raised regarding anti-social behaviour within the park, which had been reflected in the planning application.

He continued: "The application will be considered as part of our open and transparent planning process which takes into account standard planning policies including the functions of the area and any nature conservation requirements.”

The council’s development control committee will make a decision when it meets next month.