Villagers tell of shock over green claim

People living at The Hollow, near Howden-le-Wear, are locked in a legal battle to prove that the disputed half an acre of land has been used by children playing, by horse riders, for bonfire parties and by dog walkers, for more than 20 years.

They want to register it as a village green and have hired a barrister to fight farmer Fred Wilson's claim that he inherited the land from his father and has exclusively used and farmed it for the same period.

At a public inquiry in Crook yesterday, headed by Vivian Chapman, an independent barrister appointed by Durham County Council, villagers spoke of how they used to be on good terms with Mr Wilson.

Villager Jackie Gent said: "We were always on friendly terms before. He did cut the grass, but I believed he was doing it as a service to the whole community."

The inquiry heard there had once been a minor dispute between residents and a family who formerly grazed horses and goats on the land.

Mrs Gent said her late father-in-law, Ernest Gent, and Mr Wilson had united to stop the family encroaching on the land.

"Mr Wilson was then allied with the community to try to make sure it stayed for the children to play on," she said.

Speaking about Mr Wilson's claim to the land, even though he has been unable to locate the title deeds, Mrs Gent said: "We thought we were in it together - that is why I was so shocked and horrified. I could not believe it."

The inquiry heard there had never been any signs stating the land was private property.

Maggie Downie, chairwoman of The Hollow's Residents' Association, said the legal battle was the only way they could protect the land.

But Richard Merritt, for Mr Wilson, said any activity which took place on the green was of a low level, and that outward display of signs of its usage, such as tracks where people had walked regularly, were effectively "non-existent."

The hearing continues today