Scaled-back plans to build almost 70 homes where children used to play rugby have gone public.

Persimmon Homes has returned with a revised 69 homes plan for Moor Road in Yatton after attracting criticism over its 83-home proposal of two years ago.

The site used to be leased to Yatton Rugby Club for its junior teams and adjoins the club’s main facilities. An alternative area for the juniors to play has been already identified.

But with access to the site expected to use an orchard, opposition to the plan is already building.

Steve Bridger, of No Moor Development campaign group, believes the idea has the potential to do real harm. He said: “The campaign to protect the Moor Road site from inappropriate development has entered a fourth year and we remain as determined as ever.

“The rehashed Persimmon proposals include executive homes in the orchard and an access road right across it, which North Somerset Council leader Nigel Ashton is on the record as saying would be ‘totally inappropriate’.

“A planning notice says the changes ‘do not accord with the provisions of the development plan’, so we urge the council to refuse permission outright.”

Yatton’s embryonic neighbourhood plan says the site should be maintained as green open space – however, the document is yet to be adopted.

Persimmon, in its design and access statement to the council, argues building a further 69 homes has merit. It says: “The site lies outside the settlement boundary of Yatton, however it has the potential to act as a natural extension to the existing Yatton settlement and is in a very sustainable location.”

It goes on to state the ‘scale, size and character’ of the proposal is in keeping with the village and landscape.

Persimmon also says granting planning permission would help the council achieve its target of 20,985 homes being built in the district between 2006-26.

The green light has been given to more than 500 homes at North End in recent years.

To view the proposal or to comment, visit the council’s planning portal and search for 16/P/0888/F.