RESIDENTS in Torfaen are demanding that the council turns an area now designated as meadowland back into a playing field.

New Inn residents say that a piece of land off Oak Tree Close was once a thriving location on a summer’s day filled with families and dog walkers.

But this year, Torfaen council stopped cutting the grass leaving it long enough to lose a dog in, one resident claimed.

Oak Tree Close resident, Wayne Gregory 47, said he has contacted the council on numerous occasions but feels he has “gone around in circles”.

He said: “I have lived here for 15 years and my children always used to play on there.

“Now there is nowhere nearby for the children to play.”

Resident Christine Lloyd, 76, said that she used to walk her dog on there but now can’t.

She said: “The grass is that long you can’t even see a dog running through there and as people can’t scoop up as they can’t see it the area is now full of faeces.”

She said how the area was always filled with children as there were goal posts, a netball ring and seating - all of which are now unusable.

"The council should have consulted the local residents before making a decision", she added.

Kate Nash, 30, said she used to take her four-year-old son there.

“We would go there and kick a ball around and he loved it, but now we can’t as it is full of dog faeces,” she explained.

Another resident, Elaine Bustin, called the area “disgusting” adding that it used to be a lovely spot before the council stopped cutting it and she and her nieces used to enjoy picnics there.

The field was also a favourite place of those living on nearby Poplar Avenue.

Resident Kim Leonard, 60, said: “It’s a shame as it was always well used by the community.”

Another resident, Wayne Miles, added: “Leaving this area uncut has resulted in youngsters and their dads being denied the opportunity for exercise and family fun time.”

Residents have collected over 50 signatures on a petition calling on the council to cut the area and turn it back into a playing field.

A council spokesman said: “This area was identified as potential meadow land following consultation with all local ward members last year. Meadow land areas are cut once per year to encourage natural wild flowers and grasses to grow, and improve habitats for pollinating insects.

“If residents wish to have this area returned to its former management regime then they can appeal to us via their local ward member and we will work with them to find a solution which will include offsetting the loss of this new biodiversity area.”