RESIDENTS in Haxby have launched a campaign to fight plans to earmark part of a school site for housing.

Oaken Grove Primary School, in Haxby, is to close in the summer and City of York Council has proposed that the front section of the site be sold and developed with 27 houses, and half the existing playing fields kept.

Most of the school building would be demolished, with the newest section at the back kept for Haxby Youth Centre.

Angry residents say they were not consulted about the plans and have collected 500 signatures in a week, calling for the green space to be saved from any further house building in the area.

Bob Perkin, spokesman for the campaigners, said: "This last green space in the centre of Haxby - an idyllic area surrounded by mature trees and close to both shops and bus routes - is to be sacrificed for a financial fix from land sale for housing development.

"Do we not have enough houses in Haxby already?"

He said many residents had other ideas about how the site could be used, including a bowling green, a wildlife conservation area or a park.

"Even if there is to be some building, let it be for community use - an expanded Memorial Hall to cater for local groups or transfer of the library to this central site."

Peter McKenna said: "As we've done our straw poll, it's been overwhelming how many residents are against it.

"This is a financial fix for the City of York Council."

Terry James said: "Selling this field is like selling the family silver."

The residents presented their petition to Coun Charles Hall, who is chairman of the Haxby and Wigginton ward committee.

He said he believed residents should have been told more about the options for the site as part of the consultation process for the future of the site.

Bill Woolley, assistant director for environment and development services at City of York Council, said the town council, groups who used Oaken Grove Primary School, and leisure services staff had all been consulted prior to the proposals being drawn up.

"I think the council came up with a good compromise," he said.

"The proposal doesn't cover the site with housing.

"We're putting some housing in there, keeping some accommodation for the youth club and keeping some of the land for open space."

The issue will be discussed at the next ward committee for Haxby and Wigginton.

* Anyone wanting to pick up a petition form and lend their support can find them at Haxby Post Office and several other shops in the town.

Updated: 14:37 Monday, January 21, 2002