ANGRY residents showed their opposition to a planned children's centre in Prestwood at a public meeting last night.

They said the proposed centre, which would be used by families with young children, should not be built on a school playing field and put somewhere that would not increase traffic through the village.

And they said they had not been consulted over the plans – saying they had only heard about yesterday's meeting a few days before.

So many people turned up to the meeting at the Memorial Hall in Great Missenden they had to be moved to a larger room to fit them all in.

The proposed site for a Sure Start centre, which would provide care for around 800 children in the surrounding area, is on the playing field at Prestwood Junior School in Clare Road.

Last year plans for a similar centre in Great Missenden were withdrawn following protests from residents.

Cllr Marion Clayton, Buckinghamshire County Council's cabinet member for achievement and learning, said plans to use Great Missenden Combined School for the centre were rejected “very firmly” by council planners.

Other proposals for an extension to Holy Trinity Church were turned down as it is a Listed building, and the Village Hall because there were concerns with access.

She said: “Everything that was put forward by members of the community was explored. The majority have had to be rejected for one reason or another.

“We finally settled on a site at the school – that seemed appropriate. Parents are familiar with the school and the majority of children's centres are located on schools because that's where children are.

“There will have to be a loss of land of some sort.

“We have tried very hard. This is a last resort. Rest assured we have gone into this in considerable depth.”

But residents complained they had not been consulted over the proposals.

One of them, Dee Irvin, said: “You've been talking to local groups, not the community. They are running groups within the community – you need to speak to the people that live in this community.”

Clare Road resident Helen Hearne said: “We are not against the Sure Start centres at all but we are against it going on the school field. It's used constantly throughout the year.

“There are more suitable sites in Prestwood, one of which is on Prestwood Common where the youth club is. There's a play area near there that's relatively new. I think that's a good site.

“The proposal wasn't put forward to any residents.”

Other residents complained the centre would lead to an “unacceptable” increase in the amount of traffic through the village.

But Cllr Clayton said: “Our Highways department came and had a look at the site. We discussed it with them and they clearly thought it would be satisfactory. That doesn't mean to say it will go through – it's subject to planning and they will take that into consideration.”

She added the council would be working with Sport England to ensure there was no unacceptable loss of land.

Adam Roberts, who helps run Prestwood Colts under-11s football team, said: “The school is very protective about the playing field. The children are not allowed to play on it on a regular basis.

“I find it unbelievable the school agreed to let a 200 square metre field be taken away and given over to a car park.”

A decision on whether to grant planning permission is set to be made by the county council in June.