YOUNG people are joining the fight to save green space in Huddersfield.

Residents are campaigning to protect Clayton Fields in Edgerton, fearing their green space could be eroded by new developments.

Developers Paddico bought the land in 2005 and have applied to the High Court to re-examine its village green status, which heavily restricts building on the land.

Now, young people have joined the fight to protect the fields by taking a petition protesting against any development to local schools.

Greenhead ward councillor Mehboob Khan is pleased that the young people are helping with the petition, which already has 8,000 signatures.

He said: “The children contacted the Clayton Fields Action Group and offered to collect signatures at Salendine Nook High School and Royds Hall High School. They have shown that they’re very keen to help.

“It shows the tremendous support there is across the community to keep the fields as open space.

“Young people have been more vocal about this than any other issue I can remember during my 13 years on Kirklees Council.”

Last week, Paddico’s High Court case regarding the fields’ status was adjourned.

Last Wednesday, the High Court announced that the hearing had been put back to give both parties more time to prepare the case. A date for a new hearing has not yet been set.

Clayton Fields was registered as a village green in 1997, after a successful campaign by locals to preserve residents’ right to use it in the future.

So far, Paddico has not commented on why it is seeking re-examination of Clayton Fields’ village green status or whether it has firm plans to develop the site.