Residents battle to save fields

Residents living near Taunton's College, Hill Lane, are furious that a planning application for new homes on the site has been resurrected for the third year running.

Linden Homes wants to demolish a derelict kitchen building and put 12 new semi-detached houses in the sixth form college's grounds.

The development, in six blocks along Bellemoor Road, would also take up a chunk of a football pitch and some of the college car park.

Southampton planners have already said yes to the sale of the land - for a secret amount - to the property developer, providing planning permission is granted.

The deputy prime minister also has a say because the sought-after land is part of an educational establishment.

But residents fear the bulldozers will deprive Shirley children of a valuable open space.

They are stepping up their campaign to fend off the development as the final decision day - expected to be next month - draws closer.

Anver Jeevanjee, vice-chairman of the Upper Shirley Residents' Association, said: "All the green space will be gone. Children from four schools use that site at the moment and we think it should stay as educational land.

"There is great strength of feeling about this."

He also said families living along Bellemoor Road feared their street would become clogged with traffic because of the extra houses.

Cllr Terry Matthews, who represents Shirley ward, had added concerns about building on fields.

"I have no problem with the houses but I am worried that they would be using part of a greenfield site. That's what I disagree with," he said. "I think it should be used for educational land."

The Conservative councillor is organising an open meeting for residents next week and has vowed to help them fight the developers.

The date and venue for the meeting has yet to be announced.

Comments on the application must be with Southampton City Council before October 2.