The fight against plans to build houses in the Green Belt is gathering pace.
An application to build 20 houses and eight apartments on land forming part of Haydon Hall Meadows behind Pikes End in Eastcote has caused uproar.
Terry Butfield, who has lived in a house backing on to the meadows for more than 20 years, started the petition last month and has already got more than 1,000 signatures.
The 68-year-old said: "It's a Green Belt site and it's part of Eastcote Village Conservation Area.
"There's a huge amount of wildlife in the fields. We see birds of every variety, foxes, frogs, newts, bats and owls.
"Everyone we have spoken to is up in arms because it wouldn't stop here. If one bit of Green Belt goes then the rest of it will go.
"There's no point in having Green Belt land if you are allowed to build on it."
The application was submitted to Hillingdon Council by Octagon Developments last April, and it is due to go to the north planning committee next month.
Northwood Hills councillor, Andrew Retter, said: "It's very speculative trying to build houses on Hillingdon's Green Belt and I will do everything I possibly can to make sure the application goes out."
John Morgan, chairman of Northwood Hills Residents' Association, said: "I am fully supporting Terry and all the local residents on this. It's Green Belt and we are trying to keep Hillingdon green, full stop."
A campaign called Save Our Meadows has also been started.
Lesley Crowcroft, chairman of Eastcote Village Conservation Area Advisory Panel, said: "It's a very shambolic application.
"That land was mentioned in the Doomsday Book so it has been there forever. It is designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, it's Green Belt and it's part of the conservation area.
"It's just horrific and we will do everything in our power to fight this application."
* To comment, email jean.palmer @hillingdon.gov.uk or go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk by January 15.
A copy of the petition is in Hammond Roberts stationers in Field End Road, Eastcote.
