NEIGHBOURS are fighting plans to build on a patch of land they call their village green.

A planning application has been submitted for seven houses opposite Grosvenor Terrace, between Warmans Close and Naldertown, in Wantage.

Father-of-three Neil Townsend, 42, of Warmans Close, said: “This piece of rough land is very important to this local community because it is the space where informal things happen.

“It is a space where children can play safely, but at the same time not on a perfectly arranged piece of grass.

“One of our big concerns is that if this land is developed it sets a precedent and these overgrown open spaces will disappear more and more.

“We will have piles of houses with no space for human beings.”

His daughter Zoe, 10, added: “Me and my sisters always ride our bikes around here.”

The land is used for community bonfires every November 5.

Wantage Town Council lodged an objecting to the plan, which it sees as overdevelopment. Vale of White Horse District Council will now consider the application.

Iain Stevenson, from agents Carter Jonas speaking on behalf of the landowner Mr and Mrs Wingfield, said: “It has never been a piece of amenity land.

“Up until a few years ago it was a rather unkempt piece of land that had rubbish dumped on it.

“We are looking to make efficient use of land with a built- up area which reduces the need for greenfield development on the edge of the village.”