RESIDENTS fighting an ongoing battle against treasured green land in Malvern being targeted for housing have put forward an ambitious idea to safeguard its future.

People living near the 24- acre field between Guarlford Road and Hall Green Close were delighted earlier this month when Malvern Hills Conservators unanimously threw out a bid for a new access across its land – something that would be needed for the site to be developed.

More than 70 residents attended that meeting and, while delighted at the Conservators’ stance, pointed out the long history of access requests for the field and said there would likely be another in a matter of months.

But Anne Dicks, whose home in Baldenhall is just yards from the field, has suggested the Conservators buy the site themselves and establish it as an important wildlife and biodiversity site.

Pointing out that verges around the field are designated as sites of local wildlife importance and that the field itself used to be a Special Wildlife Site, she believes it would be a perfect fit for a new ‘Biodiversity 2020’ strategy, a Defra scheme aiming to tackle the loss of habitats and species by the end of the decade.

Mrs Dicks said: “Several people have taken the idea to heart and are already swapping sightings of different animals and birds,” she said.

She suggested the Conservators could use the land surrounding the field, which it owns, as the starting point for the initiative before considering whether or not to purchase the field itself.

Stephen Bound, Conservators director, said: “‘It’s always great to receive suggestions from members of the public regarding the management of the hills and commons.

“Like all suggestions we receive, we’ll look at this one carefully and see whether it’s something we could act on.”