PLANS to asphalt over a children's grassy play area to make way for a car park have been turned down by Fareham planning chiefs.

Councillors rejected the application for the site in Hewett Road, Titchfield, which had been submitted by their own council.

Members of the planning committee agreed they would just be "ruining the environment" by allowing the borough's green open spaces to be developed.

Residents of the road had welcomed Fareham Council's plans, claiming they were in desperate need of extra parking in the area.

They also raised concerns about young children playing ball games on the grass and running out between parked cars.

One resident, who would not be named, said: "My grandchildren and other children play in that area and I am concerned that it is just a matter of time before one of them gets killed or knocked over.

"They run out between cars and you can hear the screeching of brakes from your house. It's worrying.

"People park on the green anyway and it's muddy now because of that.

"Most of the residents would like to see the car park there instead."

Councillor Ernest Crouch, speaking on behalf of other local residents, said: "Car parking is a real problem, particularly in this area where the roads are narrow.

"It's the loss of a green space, but a useful car park would be put in its place."

Planning vice-chairman, Councillor Arthur Mandry, was not convinced.

He said: "This is a children's play area. We need to have children playing in places that are under surveillance with houses surrounding them.

"We can't just send them off to play in the woods or somewhere else where they could find themselves in danger. By allowing these green spaces to be lost we are ruining the environment."

The committee refused the application, agreeing to look at other areas for extra parking.