COUNCILLORS say children and families could lose out if a campaign against a multi-million-pound pool in Blackbird Leys succeeds.

Opponents to plans for a new £8.5m swimming pool complex have lodged an application to turn the proposed site into a protected ‘Town Green’.

If successful, it would scupper the controversial Oxford City Council development.

Residents behind the Town Green application say they want to protect the estate’s only green space.

But councillors said it would mean upgrades for play equipment and sports changing rooms at the site would not go ahead.

There are also concerns that even if the application was not successful, it could delay building work on the new pool by months.

City councillor Val Smith said: “The consequences of having a Town Green on Blackbird Leys Park will not just be for the swimming pool, but the whole park.

“I don’t think people realise.”

Consultation is currently taking place for a £130,000 upgrade of the Pegasus Road playground and initial plans included a skate park.

Volunteers at Greater Leys FC are also hoping for a future upgrade of their changing rooms.

Mrs Smith said: “If this application goes ahead it would mean that park would need to stay as it is.

“I’m absolutely hopping about it. All the things we want to do to the park will stop.

“That’s going backwards and I don’t think people realise.”

The city council hopes to complete work on the new swimming complex shortly after the 2012 Olympics.

The existing Temple Cowley Pools and Blackbird Leys swimming pool will close once it is complete.

The application for green status was submitted by Leys residents including William Clark from Pegasus Road.

He said: “We have only applied for status from Cuddesdon Way to Pegasus Road. Anything else, including the park, is not included anyway and wouldn’t be affected.

“It’s a bit of a blackmail thing saying that.

“It’s the only large green space on Blackbird Leys. This is about fighting it for as much as we possibly can.”

The Town Green application will be decided by Oxfordshire County Council.