Residents are urged to opposed an appeal from developers to build a “luxury” housing developent on the 100-year-old Mansfield Bowling Club, after their plans were rejected

The plans, which involved knocking down the former Mansfield Bowling Club in Dartmouth Park and building 21 homes, a sports pavilion and a community garden on the bowling green, were roundly rejected at a meeting in January this year.

Camden councillors believed the developer had failed to show that sport and leisure facilities were not needed for the community as part of the open green space.

And there were more than 150 objections to the plans lodged by developers.

Cllr Sally Gimson said at the time: “If there is no need for leisure facilities on this site, why is there £600,000 on the table to mitigate its loss?”

But in their legal appeal documents, developers Generator Group point out that the scheme would bring “significant benefits”, and the loss would be “simply a crumbling dilapidating bowls club”.

They argue they would bring publicly-accessible facilities, including an extra tennis court.

The documents also point out that the housing development will include 11 affordable units.

Amy Silverston, who runs the Tuffnell Park Parents Group, has been campaigning to save the bowling green, arguing “this area needs a heart to it” and a public space where the community can gather, run around and play sport.

The mother of three said that the “densely populated” area needs an open space for parents to go if their “kids are bouncing off the walls”.

She believes any homes built on the green would be very valuable.

A spokesman for Iceni Projects, agents for Generator Group said: “The application was recommended for approval by officers. We remain committed to the appeal.”

Mansfield Bowling Club was listed as an asset of community value in 2013, so the community can bid to buy the site if it is put on the market.