RESIDENTS vented their anger at plans to sell off playing fields to fund Basildon’s new Sporting Village at the first of a series of public meetings.

Controversial proposals by Basildon Council to sell fields to the south of Felmores, Pitsea, to housing developers were criticised by residents at Pitsea Leisure Centre last night.

It was the first of three public meetings the ruling Tory administration has been forced to hold over the sale of playing fields after residents swamped a special council meeting about the issue.