Gritty campaigners are refusing to give up their fight to save a recreation ground from developers.

Residents thought they had finally lost their battle to save The Bringy field in Great Baddow, Chelmsford, after a failed bid to have the land declared a village green.

But now they plan to re-apply to Essex County Council for village green status, which could force the issue to a second public inquiry.

Save Our Field campaign leader Paul Twinn said he was "gutted" when an inspector's report after a public inquiry earlier this year found in favour of site owners Barratt Homes.

Now he is now ready to resume the campaign to save The Bringy, which he claims has been used like a village green for years.

Mr Twinn said: "We think we have got it correct. We know exactly what we're doing now. We believe now we can answer all the questions within the inspector's report."

He said the report's findings were sent to the Open Spaces Society, which felt they had a case and are supporting the campaign.

"We assume there will be another public inquiry," he said.

Nicola Hodgson, from the Open Spaces Society, said: "Certainly I support them in their application but it is still going to be very difficult.

"It is impossible to say how the registration authority will respond."

Barratt Homes has planning approval to build 46 new homes on The Bringy and has fenced off the land.

A Barratt spokesman said: "We have had no notification of any re-application for village green status as we would expect to. It is our intention to start work in the near future."

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