A petition has been launched by protesters fighting to preserve the future of a Halesowen Conservation site. Developer St Modwen wants to sell the Coombes Wood Sports and Social Club site n Coombes Road for housing.
It plans to build a new club on nearby fields. But residents say the fields, which are in the green belt and form part of the 120-acre Coombes Wood Green Wedge, are home to valuable wildlife such as bats, owls, and rare butterflies. The area is also a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
Now the recently-formed Friends Of Coombes Wood group has started an on-line petition to help add weight to its campaign.
More than 60 people have already signed their names to try to stop the development plans.
Group spokeswoman Sue Yeadon said: "Every body is really pulling together to help make people aware of what a tragedy it would be if we lost the Coombes Wood Green Wedge."
Members are organising guided walks around the site to raise awareness among local residents of the wedge's importance.
Species
They want to run dawn or dusk chorus walks to help highlight the large number of different bird species living in the area.
They are also building a database of reported Wildlife sightings, which have so far included skylarks and barn owls.
Under the proposals St Modwen would use cash from the sale of the five-acre Coombes Road site to build a new pavilion and clubhouse, cricket pitch and bowling green on seven acres of the Coombes Wood Green Wedge. The firm has also pledged to create two sports pitches, a children's play area and conservation zone on two-and-a-half acres of the green wedge for Olive Hill Primary School.
Plans are expected to be submitted to Dudley Council in June.
The Coombes Wood Green Wedge has a varied landscape including heathland, grassland, ancient forest and farmland and is bordered by Dudley No 2 canal. Further details about the group are available from www.coombeswood.info