Signs of support

More than 500 people have signed a petition calling for a green area of Bingham to be spared from development.

The campaign to preserve Warner’s Paddock was started by Mr Gary Porter last month over fears the land could be used for a new community or health centre.

In addition to the petition, he has also sent emails to 60 people about how to lobby Bingham Town Council and other organisations involved with the project.

Mr Porter (42) of Woodpecker Close, Bingham, said he was still receiving emails every day in support of his campaign.

He said: “They can be in no doubt that opposition to development on the paddock is strong, reasoned, passionate and growing by the day.”

Mr Porter said the paddock, on the corner of Long Acre and Grantham Road, is one of the last remaining green areas in the town and needs to be saved from development.

Among the supporters is Mr John Axtell (68) who has lived 100 yards from Warner’s Paddock for ten years.

He said: “Land is being used for housing but not for local needs. I feel there is a lack of foresight and long-term planning.

“Why can’t we keep Warner’s Paddock? It is a nice place of greenery in the centre of town.”

He said too many green open areas in the centre of Bingham had been lost over the last 40 years and Warner’s Paddock needed to be preserved.

Another supporter, Mrs Jenny Handfield (58) of Bingham said the land had sentimental value to her as she knew Mr Warner through her parents.

She said: “It is a utilised piece of land, not wasted at all. It seems a pity that other areas couldn’t be utilised for a health centre.”

In an email to Mr Porter, Rushcliffe Borough Council’s head of planning, Mrs Susan Harley, said there were no planning applications for the development of Warner’s Paddock at present.

A private meeting is due to take place next week between the Crown Estate, who owns the paddock, and the town council, and Mr Porter believes the site will be discussed.

He urged supporters to contact the Crown Estate with their views ahead of the meeting.

The Mayor of Bingham, Mr Francis Purdue-Horan, said the meeting was about the potential development of land near Margidunum roundabout.

Mr Al Hanagan, a spokesman for the Crown Estate, said it was aware the town council was looking at sites for a community and health centre but no proposal had been put forward for the paddock.

He said: “We have got the bowling club and two horses on the paddock. If, and when, anybody puts forward plans, we will look at it sympathetically.”

But Mr Porter said: “Given that they will have had letters from us, I find it surprising that they would not mention it at the meeting even if that is not on the agenda.

“The distant Crown Estate need to understand that development is not wanted by Bingham people.”