CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect Peel Hall from the development of 1,200 homes are preparing for a pre-appeal rally as their planning battle enters 'Fergie time'.

Save Peel Hall campaigners will hold their 'It Will Be Too Late When It Has Gone' rally at Cinnamon Brow Farm Club at 2pm on Sunday.

The development management committee unanimously rejected Satnam's masterplan for the site in February last year.

However, following the decision, the company lodged an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

The appeal, listed for 14 days, will begin at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub at 1pm on April 23.

Wendy Johnson-Taylor said Sunday's event is the biggest campaign event the group has organised.

She added: "We have a list of guest speakers lined up.

"We will be setting up an exhibition which will feature extensive drone footage, some of which showing Satnam actively destroying this unique and peaceful place.

"Our main message on the day will be that this fight is definitely not over.

"Over the years we have fought Satnam and achieved a 100 per cent success rate.

"We have managed to thwart every attempt to destroy this greenfield site.

"We will also be making a firm stand at the rally against the Planning Inspectorate's decision to allow Satnam to submit numerous amendments to its original application which was, incidentally, unanimously refused by our council last year.

"We believe these tweaks and changes are tantamount to a new planning application.

"This information should be excluded from the appeal hearing."

Former borough councillor Geoff Settle has likened the planning battle to a football match and highlighted a term synonymous with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said: "This is going to be a hard match to win, the planning goalposts have been moved and we are now in 'Fergie time'.

"We, as supporters, must provide the referee, planning inspector, with indisputable evidence and once more undermine the Satnam defence with our arguments.

"The WBC officers' team, led by their QC, must be tactically aware of how this game is being played.

"They must have a strong defensive plan and agile attackers, who can score decisive goals during this period of extra time."

Satnam has been asked for a comment.