PLANS to demolish a sports centre and create a mini flyover for bicycles over Gloucester Park's lakes will be thrashed out next week.

Basildon Council officers have recommended councillors grant planning permission for the controversial £30million sports village development.

Meanwhile, opposition against the plans to bulldoze Markhams Chase Leisure Centre and develop within Gloucester Park continue to mount.

Campaigners do not like the pedestrian and cycle path, which has been called a green link. It is meant to provide direct access from the town centre, through Gloucester Park, to the new sports village.

Andrew Buxton, spokesman for Friends of Gloucester Park, is furious about plans for what he described as mini flyover.

He said: "Green link? It will be an absolute environmental catastrophe for Gloucester Park.

"Although a cycle and pedestrian route, it will effectively be a mini Pitsea flyover running up through our beautiful unspoilt park.

"It will almost certainly result in trees being cut down."

If approved, the path would travel over the small and large lake, plus a football pitch, according to early sketches.

If the councillors agree, the application will still have to be passed by the Government, which may call for a public inquiry.

Dennis Swaysland, a regular user of Markhams Chase Leisure Centre, has been campaigning against the council's proposals to create the village in Gloucester Park.

The council's development control committee will meet on Tuesday evening to discuss the proposals.