MALVERN Civic Society is taking steps to protect a much-loved green space in the heart of the town from development.

The society has applied to Malvern Hills District Council to have the Hayslan Field declared an Asset of Community Value.

Nearby residents were jubilant last summer after a scheme to build 150 homes on the land was thrown out by a planning inspector following an appeal.

Now the civic society has applied to have the land, a former playing field owned by Malvern St James School, made a protected asset.

If the field is listed, it means that the owner will not be able to sell it without allowing six months for a community group to put together a bid to buy it.

An earlier application was not accepted, but the civic society hopes that the planning inspector's remarks about the importance of the site to the local area might change the balance.

Civic society chairman Clive Hooper said: "Since the first application was rejected, there has been a public inquiry in which the issue of the amenity value of the land to the community was addressed and was adjudged to be proved.

"The district council's officers, in their case opposing the development of the land at the inquiry, endorsed this view. I think it would place MHDC in a difficult position if the current application were rejected, as this would run counter to their arguments put forward at the inquiry."

The field is widely used by children, dog-walkers and nature-lovers, and the main path crossing it also offers a

quick route from the Pickersleigh Road area to the town centre.

In her decision, planning inspector Jane Miles said that the field is "part of a network of open spaces that contribute to the distinctive form and character of the town as a whole".

Malvern Town Council's strategic planning committee was due to discuss the application at its meeting last night (Thursday). Its comments will be submitted to the district council as part of the decision process.

The application is currently open to public comment until January 26.