A RESIDENT in Oulton is calling on his neighbours to make their voices heard if they want to save an area of land from becoming another new housing estate.

A RESIDENT in Oulton is calling on his neighbours to make their voices heard if they want to save an area of land from becoming another new housing estate.

Kenneth Alexander, of Camps Heath, has applied to register the land at the old Suffolk Fat and Bone Site as a village green, and after objections were filed from the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance and Danisco Beaminster Ltd, a public enquiry has now been called.

Mr Alexander made his application using the Commons Act 2006, which allows for the registration of land as a green where “a significant number of the inhabitants of any locality, have indulged as or right in lawful sports and pastimes on the land for a period of at least 20 years”.

The area of land, part of the proposed Woods Meadow development, currently has outline planning approval, but the result of the forthcoming public enquiry could prevent the former site of the factory being built-on.

“The act is designed to preserve open spaces for local residents to use as they wish,” said Mr Alexander, 79.

“There have been many claims over the years that the land is contaminated, but if it is granted village green status it won't be disturbed.”

One of the objections to his application is that the site has not been used for recreation by a significant number of local people for 20 years, however Mr Alexander, who walks across the site every day, claims he regularly sees horse riders, dog walkers, bird watchers and berry pickers all enjoying the area.

For the forthcoming public enquiry, a wide variety of information will have to be presented to support his claim and Mr Alexander is calling on more residents to come forward and support him.

“This is the last opportunity to save the site from development and preserve it for generations of people to come. There are few green spaces left, so this is a golden opportunity to keep one,” he said.

Mr Alexander is asking for people to let him know their feelings by early October, with the public enquiry due to take place at the Wherry Hotel, in Oulton Broad, from Monday, November 10.

To make your opinions known, write to Kenneth Alexander, Tudor Cottage, Wood Lane, Camps Heath, Oulton, Lowestoft, NR32 5DP.