Stephen McPartland, the MP for Stevenage, has criticised the planned building of 57 homes at Shephall View.

The plans have been developed by Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) and will see Stevenage Sea Cadets evicted from the building that has been their home for more than 50 years if planning permission has been granted.

Mr McPartland has sent an open letter to the planning and regulation department at SBC.

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In that letter, he wrote: "SBC have been trying to develop this land for over ten years and it is disappointing that they continue to ignore the concerns of the local community and charity groups.

"It is clear that the community do not want this development and in January 2012 applied for it to be formally registered as a town/village green, which was opposed by SBC.

"There has been a concerted effort to remove this land from recreational use for local people.

The Comet: Stephen McParland has spoken out against Stevenage Borough Council's plans for Shephall View. Stephen McParland has spoken out against Stevenage Borough Council's plans for Shephall View. (Image: Will Durrant)

"The recreation ground has been used for over 50 years by local people and SBC argued that it was only used with their permission until housing could be built.

"Sadly, in 2015 at a public hearing SBC lawyers argued against me and the community that the site could not become a town/village green and protected for recreational use for future generations.

"The site remains unsuitable for development and causes massive harm as it evicts both the Sea Cadets and 5th Scouts Group from their community buildings.

"The Sea Cadets have only a few more months to find a new venue after 50 years, which may force their closure.

"Local people will be losing their recreational ground, some properties on Bedwell Crescent will be demolished to make way for an access road.

"This is a difficult road, with many homes, schools, shopping, religious and community facilities, so this will make a very congested area, even more congested.

"I would urge SBC to resist the temptation to give themselves planning permission to profit from building expensive private homes, none of which will be new affordable homes and listen to the local community.

"Protect Shephall recreation ground for our community groups and future generations."

Responding, an SBC spokesperson said:

“As part of the Shephall View development, we have been working closely with those groups impacted by the planning application.

"We understand the importance of these groups in the local area and remain committed to working closely with them in sourcing suitable alternative venues for both.

"More information is available on our website."

The Shephall View development would subsidise the construction of 96 independent living apartments at the garage site located between Brent Court and Town Centre Gardens.

A petition to stop the development was launched last year by Stevenage resident Carys Ashby, which has received 660 signatures.