RESIDENTS are to go head-to-head with a developer over who has the rights to 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 in a package with the former college site in Aynsley Terrace, to builder Strathmore Homes in 2002.

But residents have always maintained they belong to the people of Consett.

Midwife Dorothy Oxley, of Aynsley Terrace, is one of 20 residents scheduled to speak at the inquiry. She 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 it withdrew plans 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 Consett Iron Company.

Residents believe the Top of the Park was part of this gift.

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

The Blue Heaps, which was created out of large piles of waste iron ore from the steel works, was also Company land that was left to the town.

Campaigners claim the Heaps has been regarded as common land for 40 years and is a popular spot with youngsters and dog walkers.

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, starts in Consett Civic Centre next Monday.

Residents are holding a fundraising event in Allison Gardens Community House, Consett, this Thursday from 7pm, to help pay for a barrister to argue their case.