LAND which houses an ancient monument is being sold off, prompting outrage from villagers.
Residents of Weston Subedge, between Evesham and Chipping Campden, have raised concerns after land around the Church of St Lawrence was chopped up and sold.
The site is part of an AONB and the location of a 12th-century fortified manor house.
Parish councillor Matt McMinn explained that the land was purchased by a developer, Spooner Holdings Ltd, last year and then immediately demarked into individual plots to be auctioned by Barney Estates at around seven times the price.
Councillor McMinn said: “The council and residents are not averse to the sale of the land.
“It is interested in ensuring the current status is retained in terms of the Scheduled Monument, no damage to the AONB and the retention of the public footpaths.”
He added that several plots have already been purchased, with the new owners delineating their plots with fences and planting trees to grow vegetables.
“Once fences and sheds are erected, effectively turning the plots into allotments, the field is lost forever,” councillor McMinn added.
“This is not about nimbyism. It is about protecting a heritage site.
“What is the point in conservation areas, AONB or National Parks, if there is no way to enforce the protection of these areas?”
Resident, Jane Saltmarsh, added: "The villagers are up in arms.
"Just a few months ago I was saying we don't have anything to worry about but I was completely wrong."
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP visited the site last week and is now looking to take action.
He said: “The land has great historical significance dating back to Roman times and includes a scheduled ancient monument which the local community are understandably keen to protect it.
"It is an impressive site and I was careful to listen to the concerns of those who showed up.”
Sir Geoffrey continued: “There are a number of actions I will take, firstly I will be writing to Historic England to urge them to reconsider designating the whole site as an ancient monument.
“I shall also be writing to DEFRA to see if permanent pasture can be ploughed up without permission, as well as to the planning authority on a number of issues.
“To have the assurance from the district council that under the current five-year plan they wouldn’t provide planning permission on the plots sold will provide a huge peace of mind for the local community.”
Attempts have been made to contact Barney Estates.
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