Young, old and equine came together to take a stand against future development on green belt land in Hayes.
Residents worried about the future of the land rallied against future changes being made to the precious green belt, and have stuck 'Save Hayes Park Home Farm green belt land' posters around the area to show interested buyers they mean business.
A 145-acre plot of land, which was put up for sale and listed on Rightmove, has attracted so much interest it will be sold by a sealed bidding process.
Deanna Lines, 73, of Mellow Lane East, has lived in various streets around the fields since she was just six.
She said: “It's my past, it's my way of life that I've been brought up around. I can remember as a child being able to play in the fields, when it was long grass with cows in the field."
Mrs Lines went to Meadow Lane School and has many fond memories of the fields, and would be “devastated” if they were to be built on.
She added: “I'd rather [it] stay as it is – green belt – with the horses on it now because there's stables all around the field. I don't want to see houses or schools built on it because we've got enough schools in this area.
“There's animals, foxes, birds, horses, there's even wild cats. Why take that away from them? Why take the fresh air away from the kids?
“When I look out the window I see fields and I've had that all my life."
'A lot of interest in the site'
The message from campaigners, to those wanting to buy the land, is: 'don't even think about it, you can buy it but don't build on it. Leave it as it as'.
To take a stand against the loss of green belt, crowds of residents joined to oppose development and were joined by horses and riders from local stables.
Caroline Donnelly, founder of Friends of Hayes End, an "informal residents' association for people living and working in and around Hayes End", said: "I have to say I was blown away by just how many people turned up to take part, which just goes to show the strength of feeling within the local community that this area is one that needs to be preserved and maintained as green belt.
“There is so much redevelopment and regeneration going on in the rest of Hayes at the moment, and that is great to see and should bring great economic benefits.
"However, none of us want to live in a concrete jungle, and preserving Home Farm's green belt status should protect against that and ensure the residents if Hayes End and Charville have open spaces to enjoy for many more years to come."
The Home Farm and land at Hayes Park is listed for sale with Bidwells, as a whole for £5,450,000 or can be partially purchased in one of five separate lots.
Bidwells were contacted and unable to give any specific details about buyers due to confidentiality, but said: “We can confirm that there has been a lot of interest in this site.”
The final block viewing session for the land was on Tuesday (September 8) and the sale of the plots will be concluded by sealed bids on Thursday September 24.
