MORE than 80 people gathered to protest against a plan to replace a popular open space with homes.

One of them held a sign saying “Save Blatchington Green” in opposition to Seaford Town Council’s proposals to sell the land in North Way, Seaford, to a developer.

The council has put in two planning applications, one to overturn the planning obligation which states the land must be used as a children’s play area and one for three detached houses.

Retired Ministry of Defence civil servant Tony Titchmarsh, 65, who has lived in North Way for five years, joined the protest on Wednesday.

He said: “The area is slightly tatty but it is a green space which people use.

“The council insists it is an unused site, but it isn’t.

“I think they just don’t have a grip on the situation.

“Local kids play there on their cycles, play tag and hide and seek, and older residents walk their dogs there and meet for conversations.

“We would like to see it kept as a green space for the benefit of residents as it has been since the Eighties.

“Nearly 300 residents signed a petition highlighting the use of the site and its importance to the community.

“They are calling on the council to drop their plans and allow residents to take over management of the site.”

James Corrigan, town clerk at Seaford Town Council, said: “From our regular site visits, the council isn’t aware of anyone using the land as anything other than a cut-through.

“Many residents who phoned me believed the plans will result in the right of way through the land being closed, but this is not true.

“A survey we distributed to every household in the town came back with 59 per cent in favour of selling it.

“We will spend the money raised on the seafront development plan, which includes the much-requested Martello toilets, new beach huts and a beachside cafe.”

He said the council has not seen a petition.