FAMILIES in a Southampton street have vowed to fight plans to knock down a decade-old cherry tree and build a new road in their estate.

The leafy tree has been a place to play for generations of children in Macarthur Crescent but it could be removed as part of Southampton City Council's plan to renovate the area.

The council says the project would involve creating new parking spaces and pedestrianised routes, as well as improving access to vehicles.

But the plans have sparked outrage from residents, particularly plans to pave over an area in front of a section of houses and destroy a much-loved tree.

Mum-of-three Joanne Woodford, whose children have enjoyed playing out on the grassy area near their home, said she would consider moving house if the plans went ahead.

She told the Daily Echo: “I’m totally opposed to these plans. I’ve only just heard about them about and my children play out here all the time.

“It’s safe and they have got lots of wildlife out here – I would probably end up moving away. There’s lots of things to do here and the kids just love being here.

“I told my daughter Fearne about the plans yesterday and she was not very happy because she’s always out here. She’s an outdoor girl and always has been.

We will fight it as much as we can.”

She and her neighbours also believe that the city council has shown a lack of commitment to consulting residents about the plans and provided a lack of information about what they involve.

Council planning documents state that roads and car parks in the area are in need of resurfacing, that disabled access provision is poor, and that bin storage at the site poses a risk for public health.

It also claims that design choices in the area need to reflect that there is a “high potential” for antisocial behaviour in the area.

But Joanne’s neighbour and friend Doreen Seaman, who has lived on the street for 52 years, said: “It’s just so safe for the children here – nobody wants it.”

A Southampton City Council spokesman said: “The planned work on McArthur Crescent is part of the Decent Neighbourhoods project, which is looking to improve the look of the area, improve access for larger vehicles (such as refuse lorries) and resolve some of the local parking issues, particularly the provision of disabled parking.

“We are looking to landscape the area with consideration to the local ecology and are confident that the planned works will deliver an area that residents will be proud of.

“We have made numerous attempts to consult the local residents through a mixture of public events held on the green space and local pub and also door knocking in the area, so we are sorry if people feel that we have not made adequate contact with them.

“As with all planning applications we welcome residents' feedback on the plans for the area through the planning portal available through our website. Their views will be taken into consideration when a planning decision is made.”