A MUCH-LOVED open space threatened with development despite being used by the community for more than half a century has been granted the ultimate protection of ‘village green status’.

Residents in Hornbeam Road and Chestnut Avenue, Buckhurst Hill, had fought a three-year battle against developer Steve McLaren who wanted to build a block of flats on the land at the end of their streets.

Mr McLaren had pulled down many of the trees on the site which became neglected and covered in rubbish. But residents applied to the Government to have the area, which they had used for walks and recreation, declared a village green.

To win their appeal residents had to convince the inspector that the land had previously been used as a village green and, after months of consideration, planning inspector Ros Crail has now agreed with residents that the land should never be built on, and must remain open to the public for ever.

Laurence Kubiack, of Chestnut Avenue, who formed the Roding Valley Residents Committee to fight for the green said he was ‘delighted’ by the decision.

He added: “It's been a long and difficult three years to get to the right decision but the process works and the local people have got their green back.”

At her inquiry Ms Crail heard from 23 local residents who told her what the land meant to them.

Roy Burnett, of Chestnut Avenue, said he had used the land since 1939, taking his dog for a walk there and relaxing, while Judy Stephens, of Chestnut Avenue, who has lived in the area since 1964, said her children would often use the green for football matches.

In her report Ms Crail concluded that the witnesses were “credible and convincing”.

Sheikh Zubair Hamidi, of Manor Park, who currently owns the land had claimed it was unsuitable for a village green because of an electrical sub-station there, but his objections were dismissed.

Mr Kubiack said: “It's been a lot of work for a lot of people in the community, but we are all just pleased. Children can continue playing on it in a way they have for more than 70 years.”

Essex County Council is expected to formally ratify the land as a village green at a meeting on Friday (July 24).