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Burton

Residents launch 'David and Goliath' fight against major housing firm

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Residents fight against Bellway Homes forcing public inquiry

Battling residents are to pit their wits against a top developer in a last-ditch "David and Goliath" bid to prevent a "village green" site being turned into a controversial housing development.

It comes as a call-to-action has been issued to find witnesses who have used the site over 20 years to give evidence during a public inquiry into the future of College Fields.

Rolleston householders have launched a fight against Bellway Homes forcing the housebuilder to a public inquiry in Rolleston which, if successful, could mean the reclassification of College Fields as a 'village green'.

Local resident Liam Holmes is set to present his case to an independent inspector appointed by Staffordshire County Council during a four-day inquiry against the national housebuilder firm's team of lawyers.

The plans for 100 homes in Rolleston, on the former college fields

 

If the site is granted village green status by the county council, it would potentially prevent the approved development from taking place and would preserve the site as a registered village green.

A village green is described in law as land that has been used by local people for lawful sports and pastimes “as of right” (for example - without permission, force or secrecy) for at least 20 years.

The former college fields, once owned by Burton and South Derbyshire College before the sale to Bellway Homes in 2016, is set to be developed into 100 homes following its approval at appeal in November of that year.

However, local residents have long argued that the land, off Forest School Street and the Needwood Avenue Estate, should be kept as green fields, claiming it had been enjoyed as a recreational area for many years, enjoyed by dog walkers and families.