CAMPAIGNERS battling to save one of Totton's last greenfield sites are bringing in the legal big guns to fight their corner at a government inquiry.

Residents, councillors and town planners have fought alongside each other for years to prevent fields off Loperwood Lane, in the west of the town, from being developed.

However, two charities - Imperial Cancer Research Fund and Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind - have lodged an appeal with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to allow a 100-home project to go ahead on the land. Now, with a planning inquiry due to take place next Tuesday before a government inspector, Totton Town Council is bringing on board a legal expert to press home the campaigners' arguments. As previously reported in the Echo, the expert's costs will be met by a £5,000 cash boost garnered from an underspend in the council's planning and transportation budget.

Such legal representation is considered vital if the charities' arguments - which cite an "urgent need" for the housing - are to be countered at the inquiry at the civic centre.

Town clerk Derek Biggs said: "I have contacted solicitors who say they have a planning expert who will be available.

"They want to know what we want from them and what points the district council will be putting to the inspector. Rather than reiterate the same points as the New Forest, we will put our own strong local argument."

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