More than 200 people turned up on Saturday morning to protest about plans by a businessman to build on a historic bowling green in Newsome.

Feelings are running high after businessman Stuart Smith revealed he had put plans in to Kirklees Council to build four townhouses and three bungalows on the top-rated, 110-year-old green at the back of Newsome Tap which has been used for county matches.

Mr Smith bought a two-year option on the land from the Official Receiver after Newsome WMC went into liquidation in January.

Jacqueline Sullivan, secretary of Newsome Community, Sports and Bowling Club, said: “This just shows how many people are keen to save this bowling green. We will do our best to stop him.”

Kirklees councillor Andrew Cooper, (Green, Newsome), said he was delighted by the turn out which showed the strength of opposition to the plans.

He told the protesters: “Put your objections in and I and my fellow ward councillor, Karen Allison, will put ours in.

“And if the council believes the application should go ahead we have asked for it go to committee which you can attend and give your views about it.

“This is a way of making sure the council is under no illusion that there’s a lack of support.”

And referring to Mr Smith, he added: “Let’s make sure that folks not too far away understand the strength of local feeling.”

Protest against loss of bowling green at former Newsome WMC.

Clr Allison said: “It is not just bowlers per se who are against this proposed development – there are club members from every part of town. The whole community is getting behind this action. The number of people who have come out today has revealed the passion that is felt about this.”

Mavis Wrigley, a member of Newsome Lady Bowlers, said: “I was a member of Newsome WMC for over 30 years and I have been bowling here for 22 years.

“When the liquidator first came to talk to us about the green he more or less said we could have the green and now this has happened. We feel very let down. We have been absolutely devastated. We understood this would be for recreational purposes only.”

Her husband Ian, 72, added: “I have been bowling here for 45 years. It would be a travesty for this land to be built on and lose the facilities. I’m hopeful that planners won’t give permission.”

Trevor Walton, who lives in a bungalow next to the green with his wife Denise said: “I think what’s being proposed is absolutely disgusting. I’m retiring soon and was looking forward to taking up bowling for the next season!”

James Martin, 31, said: “We were brought up on this green and have been bowling here since we were kids. It’s always been renowned as one of the best greens in Yorkshire so it’s such a shame to hear what is being proposed. Some legendary bowlers have played here.”

And Jack Dyson, a bowler with Yorkshire Seniors said: “It’s tragic. It’s one of the greatest greens in the area. It’s a fantastic ‘go-to’ green. Sky TV were here in 2011 when Yorkshire Seniors won the Crossfield Cup.”

Mr Smith who celebrated the opening of Newsome Tap at the former Newsome WMC, on Friday night has pledged to honour his agreement to allow the bowlers to continue using the green and facilities until the end of the season in late September.

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Should the bowling green go?