'This could help save the green belt': Public asked to photograph wildlife at Seven Cornfields
A green belt activist has called on the public to photograph wildlife at a beauty spot which is under threat from development.
Liberal Democrats party member Nick Machnik-Foster said this will help in the fight against proposals for 1,300 homes.
The land-owner of the Seven Cornfields, Wolverhampton, has entered into an agreement with Barratt Homes to develop proposals for housing on the green belt land. The 284-acre site is situated between the boundaries of Wolverhampton and south Staffordshire. It also borders Dudley.
Mr Machnik-Foster, who launched a petition against the plans, said: "I'm urging everyone who is backing the campaign to use the public rights of way in the next few days and weeks and show these councils how much we love this site and value it.
"But we can do more than just using the site, I'm urging people who come out and enjoy the space also take a phone or a camera and document what they see. A simple photo could make a massive difference.
"We must protect this site and I'm calling everyone to help. This dossier could help save the green belt."
Photos of animals and flowers are wanted.
The collected data - photos from the public - will be used to map out the areas of wildlife on the cornfields. This will then be collated into a dossier and sent to planners if the proposals get given the go ahead. Members of the public can send the photos to nickmachnik@sky.com.
The land has been suggested for development as part of the Black Country Plan. This is a joint-review, by the four Black Country councils, which invited land-owners to put forward sites for consideration for new housing. However no official decision has yet been made over the Seven Cornfields.
A third of the site borders into Wolverhampton and the city's council said it will make a decision, on whether to allow planning applications for the land, sometime next year.
Most of the land lies on the side of the South Staffordshire Council, which is yet to officially say whether it would allow the land to be developed. The council is currently carrying out a local review into areas for new housing.
Both councils, like local authorities across the country, have targets to build new homes.
The petition to save the Seven Cornfields has now reached more than 5,900 signatures.
To sign it, visit www.change.org/p/south-staffordshire-district-council-save-the-seven-cornfields
