CAMPAIGNERS opposing plans to create a car park on lawns at Newport’s historic Mansion House submitted a petition to the city council.

Residents raised their concerns after plans for to use the former Mayoral residence for weddings and civil ceremonies were approved by Newport city council's planning committee in February.

More than 350 people have also joined a group called Respect Newport’s Mansion House on the social networking site Facebook.

The plans include proposals for a 22-space car park on lawns to the east of the building, which residents say will “decimate” green spaces in the grounds and create serious traffic problems for the surrounding area.

Gaer ward councillor Debbie Wilcox handed in the 44-name petition at last week’s council meeting and told councillors residents had put forward alternative proposals for the site at a public meeting last month.

These include siting the car park at the back of the house and implementing a one-way system where cars enter from the front and exit from the back.

She said: “It would be tragic to have these lawns churned up.”

Responding to her comments council leader Matthew Evans, said Cllr Peter Davies, the cabinet member responsible for the project would listen to residents views before making his decision.

But he added that the Mansion House needed to be restored and its change of use to the city’s register office was non negotiable.

Gaer councillor Mark Whitcutt, who is also backing campaigners, said yesterday: “The residents, in my view, have put forward a very reasonable alternative set of proposals about traffic and car parking and I hope they will be seriously considered by the council.”