RESIDENTS are to oppose a developer over the future of two open spaces.

Public inquiries will be held into whether the Blue Heaps and the Top of the Park, in Consett, should be registered as village greens.

Both sites were sold by Derwentside College to builder Strathmore Homes in 2002 as part of a package with the former college site in Aynsley Terrace.

Residents have always maintained that they belong to the people of Consett.

Midwife Dorothy Oxley, of Aynsley Terrace, one of 20 residents scheduled to speak at the inquiries, said: "Feelings are running high.

"We feel sorry for the builder as he bought the land in good faith, but there are hundreds of houses being built in Consett and not one new play area on these estates.

"For the sake of the children that are going to be born here, we cannot afford to lose any part of the park."

Strathmore won planning permission to build 90 executive homes on the old college site in 2002 but withdrew proposals to build 13 more on the Blue Heaps in the face of public opposition.

Blackhill and Consett Park was gifted to the town in 1891 by the Consett Iron Company and residents believe the Top of the Park was part of the donation.

Under English law, an area used as a local amenity for more than 20 years can be designated as common land.

The Blue Heaps, created out of piles of waste iron ore from the steelworks, was also company land left to the town.

Campaigners say the Heaps, a popular spot with youngsters and dog walkers, has been common land for 40 years.

Protest leader Greg Coltman said: "Historically, this was gifted to the people of Consett and has been used as a public amenity for decades."

Alex Johnston, director of Strathmore Homes, said: "We bought the land in good faith.

"Derwentside College has reassured us that the land has never been used as common land."

The inquiry by Durham County Council will begin in Consett Civic Centre on Monday, July 19.

Residents are holding a fundraising event in Allison Gardens Community House, Consett, on Thursday at 7pm.

Proceeds will help the group pay for a barrister to argue its case.