CAMPAIGNERS have submitted their bid to have a field in Stockton Heath protected from developers – for good.

Plans have been passed to construct 40 affordable homes on the land off Chester Road and Montclare Crescent.

But because applicant Warrington Housing Trust has yet to start work, it has now applied for an extension after its deal ran out.

Meanwhile members of the Save Our Field campaign have lodged a bid for village green status – which if they win, would stop any fresh development.

Phil McConnell, from the group, said: “In addition to the application form and supporting documents, we submitted 77 evidence questionnaires from residents representing more than 200 users of the field dating back to 1947.”

It is not yet known how long the bid will take, but it is likely a public inquiry will be needed to decide on it.

Village green status is bestowed on fields where residents can prove that it has been used by the community for a number of years.

Mr McConnell says Cartwright’s Field, which has been blocked off to residents since Warrington Borough Council put a fence around it in 2008, was previously well used by the community.

And he says that since it has been fenced off, it has become even more of a wildlife haven with a number of birds using the field.

The fresh application to develop the site is likely to be heard in the next two months.