'It's like building a block of flats inside Wimbledon'

Danny Holmes, Chair of Save The Green group criticised the Planning Service after it emerged new residents living in Shanreagh Park, and young people in the age group of 18-23, would not be able to officially object to any plans for zoning the land for housing.

"It seems new residents and those that have now come of age since the 2005 objections, have been disenfranchised. This is unfair and unreasonable," Danny told the Sentinel.

:"It's nuts. We thought we had this dealt with but it seems the threat to the green is back again. The residents here see this move as morally wrong and unjustified."

The group, which was set up in 2005, says it is preparing to fight for the second time in five years to keep the popular space from property developers. Mr Holmes slammed the PS after letters were sent to residents who originally submitted objections in 2005 at the end of last month. The correspondence gave recipients a deadline to either resubmit all objections or some "in-part".

Mr Holmes added: "We had been under the impression that the green was a piece of designated land, where no-one could build. But now we have received this. it's thrown everything up in the air."

"We would strenuously object to housing being built on Shanreagh Park's green as people would to a block of flats being built on the grass of Wembley Stadium or inside Wimbledon. That is how strenuously we are objecting to this matter."

Mr Holmes, along with other committee members and residents, met with council officers last Tuesday night at Limavady Borough Council offices to discuss the matter. The residents and the Save The Green committee have received unanimous support from elected members since revelations of the Planning Service correspondence. In 2005 Shanreagh's residents mounted a fight against the Planning Service after fears the popular green would be turned into a building site. Then, elected representatives voted unanimously to preserve the green and on June 22, 2005, a motion was put forward at Limavady Borough Council's monthly meeting advising the Planning Service: "not to designate lands (owned by Limavady Borough Council) in Shanreagh Park for housing."

Alderman Gorge Robinson, who has voiced his displeasure at the Planning Service's failure to include young people and new residents official objections to housing proposals, said the entire community's voice must be heard.

Alderman Robinson said: "The letter from the planners was in response to my communication with them two weeks ago and is helpful- however there are a couple of points I have written back to them asking for clarification on. It is essential that everyone who has an interest in this public amenity has the chance to have their say, and for their views to be taken seriously" said Ald Robinson.

"It is essential that the full weight of opposition to any development on this site is noted by the planning authorities. The unanimous decision taken by Limavady Borough Council not to sell the land in question is further evidence of the total opposition to any plan, therefore all those who oppose the loss of this community facility must be heard and there voices listened too on an equal basis"