DETERMINED campaigners have launched a bid to take over a treasured beauty spot to stop a controversial housing development being built.

Members of Basildon’s Green Action Group teamed up to submit an application to Basildon Council asking to take ownership of the land at Dry Street, Langdon Hills, as a community asset.

It comes three months after a High Court judge threw out their request for a second formal appeal against plans for 725 homes, shops and a primary school, which were passed in June 2013.

As it is unlikely the action group would be able to raise enough cash to buy the land, it would seek a company or sponsor to take it on with a condition barring over-development.

Group secretary Miriam Heppell said: “As we were working towards a judicial review, we didn’t really look at any other options until recently. We knew about being able to apply to buy buildings, but we didn’t really think it applied.

“I’m sure they will go through our application with a fine tooth comb. If they reject it we will listen to what they say and will see if we can make some changes and re-submit it.

“If we believe they have got it wrong we will seek legal advice.

“It’s not going to be possible for us to spend millions of pounds buying Dry Street, but we have other options we would explore.”

Basildon’s Green Action Group is also planning to take its case to the European Court of Justice.

Members fear rare habitats and protected species will be destroyed and they will face traffic chaos if the Dry Street development, put forward by the Homes and Communities Agency, goes ahead.

Supporter Geoff Williams, Lib Dem councillor for Nethermayne, added: “As far as we can see this hasn’t been done in Basildon before.

“We are confident the application will go through.”

The housing scheme would be used to fund a new South Essex College, on the site of the existing Basildon market, in the town centre.

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, fears the ambitious regeneration of the town could falter if the community asset bid is approved.

He said: “We are getting a sizeable contribution from the Dry Street development, and if the action group wins, the college won’t go ahead and the newmarket in St Martin’s Square won’t go ahead.

“The action group is entitled to put this application in, but people need to understand the effect this could have.

Horse enthusiasts help rehome 40 from Longwood

HORSERIDERS joined forces to find new homes for nearly 40 beloved animals.

The Echo revealed on Thursday people who kept their horses at Longwood Equestrian Centre, on the Dry Street wildlife haven, in Langdon Hills, had just two days to find alternative stables.

The lease on the facility is due to run out later this month, and the centre is gradually being closed. After reading about their plight in the Echo, fellow horse riders came forward to offer temporary homes in fields, stables and yards in Billericay, Thundersley, Hockley and Ingatestone.

On the Save Longwood EC from the Developers Facebook page, a spokesman for the campaigners said: “The equestrian world is a close community, they are renowned for helping one another out.

“The relocation plans are still ongoing so these rehousing measures are, hopefully, temporary.”

Basildon Council insists it is very close to securing a deal on a new site for Longwood Equestrian Centre.

Campaigners fighting the development of 725 homes, shops and a primary school on Dry Street lost their bid for a second judicial review in November, meaning there is now nothing barring work starting.

As part of a section 106 agreement, the Homes and Communities Agency, which is leading the development, was ordered to pay Basildon Council £500,000 for a new centre in the borough – but promises failed to materialise.