RESIDENTS in Charville are up in arms about plans to develop Green Belt land.

Questionnaires have been delivered to the houses surrounding Charville Fields, also known as Hayes Park or Home Farm, asking people what they would like to see on the 30-acre piece of land.

The letters were posted by landowners Highbridge No.2 Ltd, which has proposed building houses, a hotel, shops and business units, as well as nature trails and bridle ways.

Mellow Lane resident Pat Miller, 49, said: "My family and I have been here for 22 years, and it was those fields that attracted us to the area in the first place.

"It was the only place we could find that had such a fantastic view, and was away from the town - it's like a little oasis."

Mr Miller, of Hayes End Residents' Association, added that everyone he had spoken to was 'vehemently against the idea'.

"We have had constant battles keeping this land as it is over the years, and nothing has changed.

"You can read between the lines and we won't be taking this lying down."

The borough's Local Development Framework (LDF), which is to go to public consultation in the new year, could dramatically change planning laws, particularly in Hayes and West Drayton.

Hayes and Harlington Labour MP John McDonnell fears the currently protected Green Belt land could be freed for development as a result of the LDF - and any responses to the informal survey.

He said: "This is the only bit of Green Belt left in north Hayes, and losing these fields would significantly change our area, destroying what little open space we have left and undermining the character of our area.

"To build a new housing estate or shopping centre would impact badly on the surrounding homes and streets, with increased traffic, pollution and noise, and pressure on our public services, health services and schools.

"I am launching a campaign to save this land, and I will be writing to local residents to alert them to this threat."

Jean Palmer, Hillingdon Council's director of planning, environment and community services, offered here reassurances.

"We have stringent and robust Green

Belt policies in place that protect our open spaces from development.

"Any planning applications that seek to develop any area of Green Belt land would be looked at under this and other planning legislation."

No one from Highbridge No.2 Ltd was available for comment.

A meeting on the issue is due to be held on January 8 at 10.30am, at Charville Primary School, in Bury Avenue, Hayes.

* Do you think Charville Fields should be preserved, or are they ideal for development? Email jackgriffith@ trinitysouth.co.uk with your views.