ELDERLY residents have insisted much-loved playing fields should never be built over because of a legal agreement dating back to the Fifties.

Members of the Vange Community Group appealed last week for information on a covenant they believe was signed between Basildon Development Corporation, which took over the land off Kent View Road, Vange, in 1958, and previous owners the Campbell family.

It is believed the Campbells handed over the site on the condition – set out in the legal agreement – that it could never be built on.

If the covenant exists, it could scupper plans for 73 homes on the playing fields, which are being sold off to help fund the £38 million Sporting Village, in Gloucester Park.

Several elderly residents have now come forward with recollections of the covenant.

Alec Carson, 92, of Paslowes, said: “Everyone knows the fields were left by the Campbells to residents for eternity. We all took that as indisputable fact and never thought for a second houses would be built over there.”

Nellie Miles, 83, of Paslowes, Vange, added: “I was definitely told the Campbells had given it to the people of Vange.”

Sue James, 86, of Bardfield, Vange, recalled the Campbells used to own the local bus company and lived near Pitsea station.

She said: “I was always told Mr Campbell gave the field to the people of Vange.”

John Gibson, 62, also of Paslowes, added: “Everyone knew it couldn’t be built on.

“The Campbells also left a bungalow with a swimming pool to the children of Vange, which was supposed to be used as a youth club. Sadly, like a lot of things, that disappeared in the Sixties.”

The bungalow was in a street near Kent View Road, which no longer exists, called Wharf Lane.

Simon Hughes, Basildon Council’s manager of corporate property and regeneration services, confirmed the local authority took over the playing fields from Basildon Development Corporation in 1976.

He said: “The corporation had acquired it from numerous people, including some land from Mr Campbell. So far as the council is aware, no new covenants were imposed upon the corporation by the vendors at that time.”

Neil Hart, from the Vange Community Group, is keen to hear from descendants of the Campbell family – or people who knew them – to find out if they have documentation relating to the covenant.

He can be contacted on 07793 748755.