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A MOVE has been mounted to block plans for a huge housing development in north Yate by protecting a field with village green status.

Residents in Brimsham Park came up with the idea in their bid to lessen the impact of Heron Land Developments’ plans for 3,000 houses adjacent to the existing housing estate.

People living in the area want the special status for a field north of Randolph Avenue and Leechpool Way, to create a green buffer between the new and existing houses.

The idea is the brainchild of The Brake reisdent Julian Chambers, who moved from Bristol to Brimsham Park 10 years ago because of the estate's location next to green fields.

He said: "It would create a reasonable barrier to protect Brimsham Park as we now it rather than turning it into some huge conurbation. "It has been done on the site of the new stadium in Bristol so why cant’ we do the same in Yate?"

Mr Chambers, who lives with his wife and three children, added: "We like to ambience of living in the countryside rather than a concrete jungle.

"If I wanted to live somewhere where you had to get in the car to drive to a park I would have moved to Bradley Stoke."

Fellow campaigner Mike Archer, of Long Croft, said: "There needs to be a long-term solution to protect the land in the north of Yate. In Bristol there is Green Belt protection and common land around south Yate so I think we need a long-term strategy.

"That could be a country park or village green status. Even if it delays building, I will support it."

Town councillor Chris Willmore is investigating the proposal on behalf of residents.

She said: "I think there are legal problems about rights of way so it will not be a home run.

"Residents will be asked for evidence about how often the field is used, what it is used for and if people think they have a right to use it.

"But it is a possibility and is certainly worth carrying out a data survey before we give a reasoned judgment."

Yate Town Council will be delivering leaflets about the proposal to all residents in Brimsham Park next month.

A spokesman for Heron Land said: "Heron Land is currently consulting the local community in Yate on a draft masterplan for the North Yate site which has been identified by South Gloucestershire Council for a new neighbourhood of up to 3,000 new homes between now and the year 2026.

"We are midway through this process and will be consulting the community again on more detailed proposals during the summer. No final plans have been agreed at this stage."