With its panoramic views, woodland streams and many Rights of Way, including the Stour Valley Way, it is little surprise a campaign to save a much-loved field in Gillingham from being lost under housing is gaining momentum.

The 3.8-hectare site behind the Mellowes care home, off Common Mead Lane on the southern edge of town, is subject of an outline plan to determine access for 85 houses submitted by developers Fairfax.

Some 80 householders in the town have so far joined the growing campaign to Save Our Fields, which was instigated by Robert Cockell late last year to object to the scheme, and many more people are joining the group each day.

Under the Gillingham Neighbourhood Plan the field was earmarked for recreational use and residents are increasingly worried the town’s infrastructure, including schools, GP surgeries and green space, cannot support further development.

Robert said: “Work has yet to start on the major Southern Extension development to build vital infrastructure required for the town. You need only look at the present map of Gillingham, to see that further continuous housing will give no benefit to Gillingham’s residents. The scheme would destroy an important area for walking, recreation, place an extra burden on local services and raises concerns over the impact of additional traffic.”

Robert added: “The importance of biodiversity and its beneficial effect on people was made clear during 2020, when so many people, nationally, found solace in the recreational value of green fields. The addition of more housing and extra human presence can only damage the delicate balance with nature.”

Objector Jo Jones said: “In my role as a community mental health nurse serving the population of Gillingham – in my two years in post I have seen increasing pressure, on the GP services, chemists, dentists, Home Treatment Team and Early Intervention in Psychosis team and substance misuse services. The proposed development will exacerbate this and compromise the wellbeing and health of the population, due to delays in accessing essential help due to demand outstripping resources. Therefore, further development should be halted.”

Francesca Mattei added: “These fields are the lungs of this part of Gillingham. They have provided a much needed environment for the neighbourhood, which has been our salvation in recent times. It would have been unthinkable to have had nowhere to walk and exercise.”

Formal application P/OUT/2020/00472 has been submitted to Dorset Council and can be viewed at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

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