THE fight to save a wild meadow near Winyates Green from development has stepped up a gear.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England has joined the battle to preserve the 12-hectare site off Far Moor Lane, which is earmarked for 250 houses under Stratford Council's Local Plan.

But members of the Redditch branch of the CPRE have noted three particularly rare species living in the meadow and adjoining hedgerow, which are giving cause for concern.

Planning and campaign officer Val Kendrick said the CPRE had found the rare Pepper Saxifrage and Great Burnett plants there, as well as evidence of the Reed Bunting bird.

Up to 200 Winyates Green residents attended a presentation of the plans last week and Miss Kendrick said the unanimous feeling was that the development should be stopped.

The CPRE is now encouraging people to write objection letters to Redditch Council before it considers an application for two access roads to the site on September 26.

Miss Kendrick said: "We are opposed to this development. The proposal would be a major conservation loss and devalue a wildlife corridor.

"It's a very species rich area and I think a lot of that has been overlooked in this development for no reason.

The plans for access roads would also cut in half an ancient by-way, which runs between the double hedgerow.

Miss Kendrick said there was also evidence of bats and newts which could be affected in the vicinity.