RESIDENTS in Yate fighting to stop four acres of green space from being turned into a housing development for the elderly have taken their campaign one step further.

People living near the proposed development are attempting to block plans to build sheltered housing for the elderly on the plot of land near Cambrian Drive, which has remained vacant for more than 20 years.

Campaigners want to give the area village green status and shared their proposal at a public inquiry which began yesterday at the town council offices.

Sixty-one flats and 10 bungalows are now planned for the site, which the local authority is handing over to Housing 21, a not for profit organisation which specialises in providing services and accommodation for older people.

The scheme is for extra care housing, which will have access to care services from an on-site care team. It will also include a day centre, health suite, café, hairdresser and IT suite.

But residents in Cambrian Drive say this is the wrong location for such a major development.

Barry Banwell, spokesman for the Cambrian Drive Action Committee, said they had made the application for village green status on behalf of the community and that they were hoping that residents would show their support during the four-day inquiry.

He said: "We feel we've been able to present a strong case to show the community has had unimpeded use of the green for more than 20 years.

"We hope the inspector listens and understands what the community is saying.

"We've been fighting these plans since the first public consultation in September 2005 and we are positive that we've got justifiable cause."

Helen Jebson, on behalf of Housing 21, said: "The Housing 21 scheme will provide a central resource allowing services and facilities to be provided to the local community.

"The development will provide a vibrant scheme, purpose designed to help older people who need some level of support or care services to maintain their independence.

"Care services could also be delivered from the scheme to people living in their own homes."

A decision on the bid will be made by a planning inspector appointed to oversee the inquiry.