A RETIRED teacher is a community group’s new champion.

He is set to take a land dispute to the Court of Appeal to protect a Birkby beauty spot.

Jonathon Adamson, 61, of Cemetery Road, Edgerton, has stepped up to the challenge for a last-ditch attempt to safeguard Clayton Fields from development.

The move comes after Clayton Fields Action Group saw a key decision go against them paving the way for site owners Paddico 267 Ltd to build 55 houses on the fields.

The land – which stretches from Halifax Road down to Birkby – was granted village green status in 1997 but this was successfully overturned on a technicality by Paddico 267 Ltd.

Any potential development now hinges on the Court of Appeal ruling which will finally determine the land’s future.

Mr Adamson told the Examiner: “I have been interested in trying to improve the area for quite some years.

“I grew up in Huddersfield but have had a base here for the last 25 years after giving up teaching.

“It was spaces like Clayton Fields that I came back for.

“They mean a lot to me.

“The loss of it would be devastating.

“I had been looking at how to improve the buildings in the cemetery and improve access into the fields but none of this is as important as protecting the public open space.”

Mr Adamson, who taught art history at Camberwell College of Arts, London, for many years, added: “Because I am a pensioner I qualify for legal aid.

“I have instructed a Birmingham based solicitors to act on my behalf.

“I have been told the hearing will last two and a half days.”

It is understood the legal argument will hinge on a technicality that the site is not a ‘locality’ because it is between two areas.

Earlier this year Bill Magee, chairman of the Clayton Fields Action Group, and fellow member David Bowen, fought a five-day High Court case against Paddico (267) Ltd.

Paddico’s bid was supported by Prospect Estates, the proposed developers of the site and legally represented by the sixth largest law firm in the world.

The appeal hearing will be heard on February 6 at The Court of Appeal in London.

The land was owned until 2005 by George H Haigh Builders who tried unsuccessfully to develop the land over several decades.