CAMPAIGNERS fear a treasured community garden and basketball court will be lost forever if plans to build a new road in Holgate go ahead.

City of York Council plans to build a road from Holgate Road to Leeman Road at the back of Wilton Rise, Cleveland Street and Upper St Paul's Terrace as part of the York Central plans.

But residents have hit back and set up a Facebook group to gather support and will hold a public meeting today in a bid to save the area from being dug up.

The Facebook group Save Upper St Paul's Play Area and Community Garden has 83 members opposed to building the new road Imogen Harwood posted: "It's constantly hammered in how people need to be more active and this is perfect for kids around the area.

"Apart from Holgate Dock, this is the only space we have and the nearest park is a good 10 to15 minute walk."

Annabel Jelley, of Cleveland Street, added: "I'm not opposed to York Central, but I am very concerned about the access proposals to Holgate Road.

"From what I understand the road is going to be five metres away from Cleveland Street and destroy a precious park."

Another resident of Cleveland Street, Ben Hall, added: "Since we moved here we have seen a strong community of families, friends and dogs develop - helped immensely by the play area and open space outside.

"Building a road through here would destroy this, bringing pollution, noise and disruption, destroying trees and wildlife. Not to mention devaluation of our houses due to an undesirable road."

Neil Ferris, director of city and environmental services at City of York Council, said: "All project stakeholders are acutely aware that the project, while bringing significant and lasting benefit to the whole city, will impact on certain communities and mitigation for this will need considering, possibly with alternative provision.

"However, no final decision has been made on site access, and detailed road designs have yet to be approved. We are working through all likely impacts of the scheme as a whole which will be informed by further community consultation and technical assessment."

The public meeting begins at 11am on Saturday (June 18) in the garden at the end of Cleveland Street.