WESLEY Guild residents are being urged to be vigilant to make sure trees in the area are not cut down or pruned.

The appeal comes from Wesley Guild Preservation Group which is continuing its three-year campaign to have the former green site made an official village green,

If they win their long battle, Wainhomes who were sold the land by the council, will be forced to tear down homes they are currently building and return the site to its former condition.

A Preservation Order has now been placed on all the remaining trees on the Guild which means no tree can be felled or pruned.

And the wrangle goes on with the District Auditor currently investigating claims that the sale of the land, described as the council's "family jewels" at the time, was sold at a fraction of its true market value.

In addition Geraldine Turnor, whose application to have Wesley Guild legally declared a village green, and local supporters have become embroiled in a dispute with the council over the make-up of the panel for the hearing.

The Preservation Group say: "It would seem only fair that this new application should be heard by a new panel, but at the moment the council's legal representative is reluctant to agree with this view, hence the delay in the announcement of the date of the hearing."

As soon as the date of the hearing is known the Wesley Guild Preservation Group will call a public meeting and give further information.

Finally the Group wish to thank everyone who has made a donation to the Fighting Fund and helped with the campaign and assure them that the fight goes on."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.