A BID to preserve Thundersley playing fields from all future development has been rejected.

Government planning inspector, Alan Beckett, has refused an application by concerned residents to give Runnymede Paddocks, behind the Castle Point Council offices, in Kiln Road, village green status.

This would mean no homes could be built on the land.

Campaigners claim the land is popular with dog-walkers and children, but fear both the council and nearby Seevic College will try to develop the area in the future.

However, they failed to persuade the planning inspector the land had been used for recreational activities without the landowner’s permission for the past 20 years, which is needed for village green status.

Barry Brazier, who spearheaded the campaign, urged residents to remain vigilant against future plans to concrete over the fields.

He added: “It now falls to the residents of Castle Point to ensure both fields retain their present status.

“Any attempt by Castle Point Council to dispose of either field must be resisted, as must any further proposal to construct additional buildings on the land.”

Mr Brazier was spurred into action three years ago after the council, which owns the land, gave neighbouring Seevic College outline planning permission to build temporary classrooms and a car park in the fields. However, the college has since stated it has no plans to expand into the site.

Mr Brazier is also concerned the land is being considered as part of a council-wide review of potential house building sites.

The review was instigated after another Government planning inspector, Paul Crysell, warned the authority its future house building plans were undeliverable. Steve Rogers, the council’s head of planning, said Runnymede Paddocks were not being considered as part of the review.

He added: “We cannot definitely say the site will not be built on in the future because circumstances change. However, at the moment there are no plans.”