Campaigners opposing plans to turn a bowling green in Dartmouth Park into a leisure centre and eight homes have launched a bid to take over the land and preserve it for community use.
The Mansfield Neighbours Group with the Dartmouth Park Conservation Area committee and Kenlyn Lawn Tennis Club are exploring ideas for outdoor activities based at Mansfield Bowling Club in Croftdown Road.
They plan to look into the possibility of establishing a locally controlled “community interest company” which would run the site on behalf of residents.
Plans submitted by the owners of the site to demolish the outdoor bowling rink and two clay tennis courts used by Kenlyn Lawn Tennis Club were recommended for refusal by Camden Council last month.
Club owners hope to build a community leisure centre and indoor bowling club with eight houses to help fund the project.
Officials from the club say the bowling club was forced to close in 2011 as membership declined and the building fell into a state of disrepair.
Opponents argue that the site is an important local asset in a conservation area and must be preserved for community use.
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