THE fight to stop a beauty spot being covered in homes has become a race against time.

Around 200 residents packed a public meeting at Barn Hall Community Centre in Alderney Gardens, Wickford, to hear they have just two weeks left to object to proposals to build at least 200 homes on Barn Hall open space.

Around 280 objections have already been made to Basildon Council against Gleeson Homes' plans for the 100-acre site off Station Avenue.

The final deadline for submissions is August 31.

Peter Boynes, chairman of Wickford North Green Action Group, told the talks: "This is another opportunity to demonstrate the strength of feeling about preserving Barn Hall as green belt."

Yet the land is currently not green belt following a blunder by council chiefs last year.

It has written to the Government urging it restore the status, but will not know the outcome until next month.

This will be just weeks before a decision on the Barn Hall planning application which is set to be heard in October.