A LAWYER is considering villagers' pleas to designate playing fields as a village green in an attempt to save them from development.

About 350 people at Ushaw Moor have signed a petition against proposals to build up to 200 homes on the land near High View, which was formerly owned by the parish council.

The scheme is being proposed as part of a Single Regeneration Budget scheme for the village, and the neighbouring communities of New Brancepeth and Bearpark.

Residents say that the new homes, which would be built by Doncaster developer Keepmoat, are not needed, and that the proposals will leave youngsters with nowhere to play.

Earlier this year, the firm applied to Durham County Council for the land to be registered as a village green, which would block any development.

The county council has sent submissions from the villagers and from Durham City Council, which is one of the leading partners in the regeneration scheme, to a barrister.

The lawyer is studying the evidence and will make a recommendation, which will eventually be considered by the county council's registration and licensing committee.

Jim Haggett, a leading campaigner against the housing development, said: "We believe that we have a very good chance of the registration going through.

"There was a House of Lords ruling on a similar case in Oxfordshire that we think will add to the strength of our case.

"The ruling was that you only have to establish that land has been used for lawful sports and pastimes for 20 years or more.

"The land has been playing fields since 1922 and has never been anything else.

"If houses are built, a new recreation area will have to be built anyway.

"It is the only place where children can play ball games."

The city council says the new houses are needed to help fund the regeneration scheme, which followed a village appraisal, and will help breathe new life into the area and lead to environmental improvements.

A Durham County Council spokesman said: "We are still awaiting counsel's views on this matter.

"We don't know how long it will take for them to be sent to us.