A former school principal has spoken out against plans to build on part of playing fields in the heart of Ewell.
Nonprofit organisation Nonsuch Abbeyfield wants to develop sheltered housing with 24-hour care on 2.5 acres of 11-acres of playing fields in Old Schools Lane.
But Andrew Tibble, who retired as the principal of Ewell Castle School at the end of December, warned that precious sport facilities and open space would be lost.
Mr Tibble, chairman of Beddington Cricket Club in Wallington, asked: "Why that area? Why is it that the best sports facilities in Ewell have been identified?
"It’s the choice of area, the fact there will be a loss of open space and prime sports facilities and it's the access issues. I hope we can find an alternative, better site."
He said the current five pitches would be cut down to three pitches, plus a practice area, and cricket could no longer be played there.
Mr Tibble said he has contacted Worcester Park Cricket Club and St Clement’s Catholic Primary School, in Ewell, who also use the playing fields.
He said: "We are putting our heads together to find out the process and how our voices can be heard."
The Salesians of Don Bosco, a Roman Catholic society founded by Saint John Bosco, own the playing fields and the Old Salesians Playing Fields (Ewell) Limited lease and manage them.
Mr Tibble has spoken the Old Salesians as well as Nonsuch Abbeyfield, councillors, Epsom MP Chris Grayling and Sport England.
As part of their plans Nonsuch Abbeyfield intends to sort out drainage and subsidence problems at the playing fields and build a new modern sports pavilion.
Graham Walker, chairman of Nonsuch Abbeyfield, said revised plans, which will address traffic concerns, will be available in January or February.
Mr Walker said: "The plans that we presented for our public consultation on and after 6 November are being critically reassessed in the light of feedback received from the public.
"We are confident that the revised plans will be of considerable value to the Epsom and Ewell community, from the perspective of both the sporting community and of people needing housing that is more responsive to their needs as they grow older."
Andrew Tibble retired as principal of Ewell Castle School at the end of December
For more information call Nonsuch Abbeyfield on 0208 394 0050 or visit www.nonsuchabbeyfield.org. Email your views to admin@nonsuchabbeyfield.org.
Alternatively write to Nonsuch Abbeyfield, The Old House, Epsom Road, Ewell, Surrey KT17 1JZ.
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