VILLAGERS fighting the sale of part of a village recreation ground for housing have welcomed a setback in the plans.
Malpas councillor Charles Higgie and former councillor Nevil Eaton have been campaigning against the building of up to eight affordable homes on the top part of the field in Tilston Road.
The affordable homes were included in a wide-ranging scheme by developer Steeltower which was working with Chester City Council on plans to build a Hilton hotel and market houses in Chester as well as providing a new sports centre.
Now Chester City Council has ditched Steeltower, although the scheme is not dead in the water because the local authority is putting the project out to tender.
Mr Eaton, of Craddock Court, said: 'It's 1-0 to the campaigners at the moment, but we are still fighting. Our voice will be heard.
'I am pleased the Steeltower scheme has gone belly up and everyone I have spoken to feels the same way.'
Supporters of the homes scheme argue it would raise money for the cash-strapped rec ground as well as providing desperately needed affordable homes for local young people.
But Mr Eaton believes the city council should make a bigger contribution towards the rec's upkeep and wonders if the homes, expected to be put on the market for £105,000, would sell, claiming other similar schemes have failed to take off.
He added: 'That rec ground was given to the village for the children by the Greenshields family and we have spoken to a descendant of the family and she says no way should any houses be built on it.'
In addition, Cllr Higgie claims there was no provision in the trust to sell off the land unless it was first handed back to the Greenshields family and then sold on to a developer.
He said: 'As there are several descendents of the late John Douglas Greenshields, getting agreement between all the Greenshields and all the other parties involved seems unlikely.'
City and parish Cllr Keith Ebben, who supports the sell-off, believes affordable housing is still on the agenda and disagrees with Cllr Higgie's interpretation of the trust document.
He said: 'If you have significant benefits for the people of Malpas then some element of development might be possible.'
City Cllr Brian Bailey, speaking in his capacity as deputy chairman of Muir Housing which would have provided the homes in partnership with Steeltower, said the project was still a possibility.
He added: 'It's up to the community of Malpas to come to a conclusion themselves.'
