A Grantham mum is calling for more parkland to be created on the western side of Grantham.

Kathy Marshall has launched a petition for unused land at the Meres Leisure Centre to be turned into a public park.

In her online petition, Kathy notes how South Kesteven District council plans to build affordable housing in parts of Grantham, including the western areas of Grantham.

Whilst accepting such homes are needed, she warned: "It's soon going to reach a point where our children will have nowhere to play."

Kathy said: However, this isn't just an issue that affects our younger generations.

"During lockdown, when we were only allowed to leave our homes for very few reasons, taking daily exercise was a lifeline for so many of us.

"With us all being charged to stay in our local areas, it soon became apparent that the Earlsfield Estate has a serious lack of safe, green spaces away from traffic fumes."

Kathy argued western Grantham lacks the play and park areas that other parts of town have.

She continued: "There have been numerous studies that show the positive effects that public parks have on communities. Improved physical and mental health, increased property values, reduced air pollution, reduced crime rates and improved social wellbeing to name just a few.

"Given that the estate has a majority of social housing and low income households, it makes no sense that a part of our town most impacted by negative effects of social inequality doesn't have such a simple resource that is proven to counteract them."

The land known as The Meres has historically been used for recreation for the community. It is currently the site of the local football stadium and leisure centre, and before that it was a play area and sports pitches.

She explained: "There is currently roughly 21,400m2 that holds nothing more than a grass football pitch. This space is large enough to have a well equipped play area, a splash pad or paddling pool, to retain the current pitch or even upgrade it to a multi sport pitch, to have safe, lit pathways for exercise, picnic tables, and perhaps even some free to access outdoor gym equipment, as well as new planting areas."

"There are several grants and funding streams that can be explored to finance the creation of a public park, and the idea fits in well with current government initiatives on both public health and green planning."

In her petition Kathy claims the support of local residents.

In a related Facebook post, Kathy has received encouragement from Earlsfield councillor Lee Steptoe that such a park could be possible if the community pushes for it.

Comments underneath the post also say the scheme could quality for government funding.

Kathy's petition can be also be found here.