Spurred on by proposals to build houses on part of what they regard as their 'village green', residents of Fleming Crescent, Haverfordwest, have made an official bid to have the land officially registered as a public amenity.

The county council had agreed to sell a piece of the grassed and wooded open ground near the stream at the bottom of Fleming Crescent to the Pembrokeshire Housing Association for social housing.

But local residents were so indignant at the prospect of losing their miniature 'green belt', which hosts badgers, otters, birds and wild flowers, that they formed an action committee to fight the proposal.

The planning consent granted for the development is on hold as the county council looks into the residents' application.

The town council, which is supporting the residents, has been told by the county council that the designation depends on whether the land falls within the statutory definition of a town or village green under the Commons Registration Act 1965.

If the residents fail to prove their claim then new homes will occupy part of what the residents see as a virtual nature reserve.