Hove campaigners want to save field by listing it as a village green

People living by a school playing field in Hove have applied to have it listed as a village green.

They took a donkey with them to Brighton Town Hall yesterday (Monday 18 March) when they went to hand in their application.

They were acting in response to a proposal by Cardinal Newman Catholic School, in The Upper Drive, Hove, to put up a fence around its sports field.

The field is north of Old Shoreham Road, Hove, between Cardinal Newman and Brighton, Hove and Sussex VI Form College (BHASVIC) in Dyke Road, Hove.

Neighbours say that an imposing fence would ruin a green space loved and used by the community.

They have organised petitions and held public meetings since Cardinal Newman announced its plans.

The school put its plans on hold but neighbours fear that it will submit a planning application and may even try to replace some of the grass with all-weather surfaces.

Village green status would protect the field from development.

Residents previously won a battle with former owner East Sussex County Council when it considered selling the field for housing.