YOUNGSTERS in Cropthorne and Charlton will benefit from new play facilities by Cropthorne Village Hall.

The village hall committee applied to Wychavon District Council for planning permission to construct a toddler play area, skateboard area, multi-use games area and footpath on the site.

The development control committee, which voted unanimously in favour of the application at a meeting on May 20, heard that more than 50 residents had signed a petition objecting to the plans.

But planning officers said many had since contacted the council to say they had been misled about four trees which would be cut down and replaced with 35 trees and they now supported the application.

Jennifer Ayliffe, who spoke on behalf of parish council chairman Liz Taylor, said out of 473 responses to their plans only four people had objected and 50 residents had given money to the project.

"If we can provide a creative and physical outlet for our children then we should," she said.

Committee chairman Jean Dowty also read a letter from GCSE student Olivia Home, which received a round of applause from the committee.Her letter, in which she described objectors as selfish, said: "Childhood is an important part of anyone's life and they should be allowed to enjoy themselves. I think people forget what it is like to be a young person."

The multi-use play area will be used for sports like football, hockey, badminton and basketball and all facilities will be made available to local schools.

Objector Richard Mumford told the committee he supported the toddler's play area but wanted other plans to be revised and was told by councillors that it was age discrimination to accept the toddlers but not the skatepark for older children. Supporter Jennifer Ayliffe later said it was refreshing to see all of the councillors support young people and they had proved themselves to be worthwhile in their positions.