A number of Naxxar residents are contesting plans to build an underground car park beneath a children's playground in the centre of the locality.

The local council was recently approached by a private contractor who is proposing to build an underground car park in the area known as Il-Bandli in September 21 Avenue.

Residents were shocked at the idea mentioned during a council meeting last month, which proposed the construction of a car park catering for 250 vehicles, "possibly" an indoor football ground and offices, while retaining the playing field.

Resident Victor Fenech said: "The trees in the area provide Naxxar's main lung. It is the only 'green oasis' in the middle of a huge span of construction... it is such a unique village centre."

Should the project go ahead, it would also mean the removal of the trees in the area, some of which were 40 years old, he added. "We are not against building a car park - but not instead of the swings."

One pensioner who lives close to the village centre is incensed at the idea. "Why don't they go park in a field instead of digging a new building under the swings? Children are always playing there and they want to remove it," she said.

Meanwhile, shop owner Ray Vella said: "We are not against the project but don't agree that the trees and swings should be sacrificed to build an underground car park."

The relatively small area next to the Naxxar council premises, which hosts the swings and a five-a-side football pitch, provides a haven for children, even though it is next to a busy main road.

Naxxar mayor Maria Deguara admitted that the council had been approached with a proposal to build an underground car park but insisted that no decision has been taken. "A proposal was made but the council has not yet seen any plans. We have nothing against an underground car park but the process is still very open," she said.

She said parking spaces in the centre are set to decrease due to another council project to pedestrianise the roads circling the parish church.

Through this project, Toni Bajjada Street, on the right hand side of the church, will become two-way while Victory Street on the other side will be closed to traffic.

The council recently applied for a planning permit to transform the square - a proposal that did not go down well with shop owners in the area, with 45 signing a petition objecting to the project.

But Dr Deguara said the proposal was still at an early stage. "A lot of things were mentioned but we didn't commit or comment - we just listened."