CIRENCESTER residents fighting to save a beloved piece of green space from being taken over by developers are just one step closer to claiming the land for themselves.

The grassy area between The Whiteway and Bowling Green Avenue, known fondly as the Humpty Dumps, came under threat after Baylight Properties proposed to build 100 houses on it in January 2010.

Horrified, residents quickly grouped together and formed Friends of the Humpty Dumps (FROTH) and applied for the area to become a Village Green, and therefore safe from any development forever.

Now, four years on, the issue is ready to be taken to an inquiry which begins this November.

Tim Bennett has lived in Cirencester all his life and remembers playing with friends on the Humpty Dumps when he was a child. He still uses the uneven and hilly field for walking today.

“We’ve got all our witnesses together,” said Tim “Now we’ve just got to see. The main thing is proving it’s been used for the last 20 years.”

During the inquiry, FROTH members need to prove that the land has been used for recreation by the people of the area for more than 20 years and that it should be kept for future generations to enjoy in the same way.

Tim claims that the area has been used as a dog walking area, a children's playground and even a slope for sledging in winter months for the past 50 years.

"I used to go there there when I was at grammar school and met new friends. Children camped up there," added Tim. "If we win at the inquiry, the developers can appeal but if we lose it's tough luck."

He went on to say that he is not against development in the area but that the Humpty Dumps should be kept as a green space for the people of the town.

Cirencester Town Council is also backing the application to have the area turned into a Village Green.

Anyone who wants to help the Humpty Dumps become a Village Green and an area free from development, can do so by visiting humpty-dumps.co.uk to download an evidence form.