A PLOT of land that was once a home to 20 houses in Parkend could become a wildlife sanctuary.

The committee behind renovating the village’s Memorial Hall are preparing to place a sealed bid on land that was once known as The Square before the buildings were demolished.

Elaine Highfield from the Memorial Hall’s committee told members of West Dean Parish Council that they were interested in purchasing the one-and-three-quarter acre plot.

Mrs Highfield said that the committee had taken on Sheward’s Shop project but felt the opportunity to acquire this plot of land should be looked at.

She said that the committee had undertaken it research and discovered that a planning application was submitted in the 1990s for 20 homes but understands this was rejected because of flooding issues and was the reason why the original housing development was demolished.

Mrs Highfield said: “If somebody develops this land it will certainly cause flooding in the village.

“However we feel that this plot will make an ideal wildlife haven and we could gravel part of it for additional car parking for the Memorial Hall.

“There is a lot of concern over the future of this site. This is a village willing to do something. And the something will make an ideal wildlife area."

FULL STORY AND REACTION FROM THE COUNCIL IN THIS WEEK’S FORESTER