CONCERNED crowds flocked to meet planning officials at a meeting to discuss contentious plans to build on green space in Middlesbrough.

The fight to protect a popular stretch of land in Acklam from the proposed siting of 115 homes saw a steady stream of campaigners express their opinions to council officers on Tuesday evening.

A public meeting at Acklam Library took place at the same time as Middlesbrough’s mayor, Dave Budd, visited the site earmarked for development.

The Newfield Crescent area - which incorporates a ‘meadow’, Bluebell beck and a playing field – is identified in Middlesbrough Council’s 2018 Local Plan, along with a number of other sites the authority is considering for development.

Thousands of people are campaigning to protect the well-used patch of land, which attracts visitors from across the town.

Protestors have distributed posters across their neighbourhoods, taken to the street to distribute information and, most recently, have decorated their bins with signs saying that the proposals are ‘rubbish’.

At the meeting, the council’s strategic planning manager Alex Conti stressed that proposals within the Local Plan were at their earliest stages and subject to consultation as he urged the public to have their say by contacting the authority with their thoughts.

He confirmed that the authority was considering reclassifying the land, which is now designated as a green wedge providing public open space.

The land was not required for housing under the authority’s last Local Plan but its suitability for development is now being considered as the council work on its next plan, in accordance with Government legislation.

Mr Conti said: “If people have concerns and want to voice them they should do that as part of this consultation.

“Once it closes, we will consider all of the comments on everything in the draft plan and then make a judgement about which sites should be in the final plan.”

Physio Jennifer Slater, 37, was among those opposing the proposals at the meeting and said: “I think this idea is disgusting.

“I’ve lived around Newfield Crescent since I was four and I use this area at least three times a day.

“It is not surplus land, it is well used within the community.”

Royal Navy veteran Philippa Donegan, 29, said the land was the only green space she could easily access.

She said: “I’m a wheelchair user and this area is right on my doorstep, I use it with my assistance dog regularly.

“We need it and as a community, we feel very strongly about this.”

Nichola Davey, 41, said the fight would not stop until the plans were thrown out, adding: “We are not going to let this happen.”