BIRKBY residents fear their popular village green will be built on.

People living around Clayton Fields say they are concerned the owners will build on the land if they overturn its Village Green status.

The case is expected to be heard before the High Court on February 20.

But residents have vowed to fight the application.

The Examiner has been inundated with letters from concerned residents.

MP Barry Sheerman is backing them, describing the developers as “greedy”, and he said the fields are part of the heartbeat of Huddersfield.

Clayton Fields were registered as a village green in 1997 after a successful campaign by local residents to preserve residents right to use it in the future.

But in 2005 the land was sold to a company called Paddico.

Paddico will this week go before the High Court to ask for the Village Green status to be overturned.

Mr Sheerman said: “We need to stop these greedy developers who want to build on every bit of green space.

“Those fields are the heart of our town – they are urban spaces that everybody should have.

“It’s important for people and wildlife and if we in Huddersfield are serious about maintaining our green spaces we need to stop this.”

Residents say thousands of people have enjoyed using the area for decades.

And they fear a housing development will be a blight on the area.

Kenneth Booth has lived nearby for 12 years.

He said: “I have some wonderful memories of playing with the grandchildren down there and still enjoy walking there now.

“You see children playing out in the summer and even now in the snow.

“It really would be such a shame for future generations to lose this facility.

“It is a wonderful area – living so near to the town centre it is really needed.

“We don’t need any more developments here, the Hopkinsons site has only half been built on and they’re not selling.”

Katie White, of Clayton Fields, said: “I think this is a precious piece of land full of wildlife that needs preserving for us, the public, and for future generations to use and enjoy.”

Louise Penson, of Marsh, added: “Over 30 years I have taken my three children to Clayton Fields to enjoy the freedom of an open space.

“My children are now grown up and still enjoy going down there and now take their children.

“Trees, grass and nature are more important than buildings in an already built-up area.”

Mary McKenzie added: “This is an outrage as the fields are the only nearby open space for recreation for all who live in the built-up area nearby.”