Newport land should be used as a village green, hearing told
Campaigners battling to save a field in Newport from being developed today told a public inquiry the area should be converted into a village green.
Resident John Rudd made the application to convert the land off Station Road, in Newport, in an attempt to block plans for a 50,000sq ft Sainsbury's supermarket on the site.
The land is owned by Telford & Wrekin Council which opposes the bid.
Government inspector Ross Grail opened the rescheduled public inquiry this morning at The Royal Victoria Hotel in St Mary's Street.
She will hear evidence over the next four days on whether or not to re-classify land. If the application is successful the land would be forever protected from development.
In her opening statement barrister Rose Grogan, representing John Rudd, said the inquiry would hear from 34 witnesses that the land should be re-classified.
Miss Grogan said: "We will show that lawful pastimes such as walking, dog walking, kite flying, fruit picking, running and other recreational activities have been undertaken on this land for the past 20 years.
"This area of land is very important to the local community and should be re-classified as a village green."
Adrian Meredith, for Save Newport, a pressure group opposing the supermarket, said the inquiry has gone 'very well' so far.
