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RACECOURSE RAG: Elvet Residents' Association members and soprano Bethany Halliday, with MP Roberta Blackman-Woods holding the petition

CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a Durham city centre bowling green are hoping to strike a chord with their latest protest.

The Elvet Residents' Association called in soprano Bethany Halliday to sing The Racecourse Rag, a protest song aimed at saving the Durham Racecourse bowling green, which is earmarked for development.

Banks Developments and the Esh Group want to build 11,600 square feet of office space, 90 apartments and 24 houses on a site including the green and the city swimming baths.

Ms Halliday, who sings with the English National Opera, performed the Racecourse Rag on Friday, which was composed by residents association chairman Jonathan Lovell.

Joining them was Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, who accepted a 3,300-name petition calling for the green to be saved.

Dr Blackman-Woods, who will take the petition to Parliament, said: "I am concerned at the loss of this green space. Instead, what the city should be developing is proper recreational space facilities."

Emma Young, of Banks Developments, said the company had listened to residents' concerns and the building would open up the area, providing more space.

A planning application had been expected in June but has been delayed. Ms Young said it would be filed before the end of next month.

8:51am Monday 23rd July 2007

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