LUCKINGTON Parish Council wants to keep the controversial Bell Field in the middle of the village out of the hands of developers.

Parish council clerk Roger Mackney confirmed the council had applied to North Wiltshire District Council for permission to declare the field outside of the village's structure plan to ensure it remained a green space for all villagers to enjoy.

About 50 Luckington residents gathered at a public meeting in the village last month to express outrage at plans to build eight houses, including two low cost housing association units, on the field. The plans were submitted by the trustees of the will left by the field's former owner.

Residents successfully led a campaign against similar proposals by the trustees to develop the field two years ago.

Mr Mackney said: "It is an important piece of land in the centre of the village and there are very strong feelings that it should not be built on at all."

Residents consider the field Luckington's unofficial village green.

Mr Mackney said the parish council met recently with the Bromford Housing Group to discuss potential alternative sites for the provision of low cost rental accomodation in the village.

This followed a survey which revealed a shortage of affordable homes.