Villagers unite to save future of loved fields

A campaign has been launched to turn an area of Bookham into a village green.

"Bookham Fields", an area of grass and woodland between Guildford Road and the Lower Road recreation ground, has long been valued as a green oasis in the bustling village.

So, residents such as Martyn Pearson, 65, of Childs Hall Road, were shocked when Mole Valley District Council earmarked the land for potential housing in its Local Development Framework.

Mr Pearson said: "It started when Mole Valley said that one of the areas it was considering in its overall plan was going to be that piece of land.

"We are definitely not against building houses but there are lots of people who believe that the land is common land.

"We then started to look into what our rights were because we've been walking over that piece of land for 25 years."

He added: "The land is very close to a lot of houses and a lot of people have walked across it.

"It is a pretty tranquil space, pretty unspoilt and there are wonderful trees there."

In order to try and protect the land, a campaign group 'Stay Green Space' was set up, which applied to Surrey County Council to get the land recognised as a village green to protect it from development.

To help back their case, the group gathered statements from more than 65 people about the fields.

Claire and Colin Thomas, of The Lorne, have joined the campaign.

Mr Thomas said: "As a family, we have been using the area of Bookham Fields for walking, cycling, wildlife-watching, sledging, blackberrying and visiting ponies for about 10 years, and are aware that the many local residents and local groups have enjoyed using the area for similar activities for much longer."

Martin Warwick, of The Garstons, added: "Declaring Bookham Fields as a village green is an ideal way of preserving the facility for posterity to ensure that developers do not eat into something, which is enjoyed by so many people."

The plans are currently available to view at Pippbrook.

A spokeswoman for the district council said the full plans of how the district would meet its housing requirements would be released in mid-February.

●FOR further information, email: staygreenspace@bt internet.com