A PUBLIC inquiry goes ahead next week to determine whether church land which had been earmarked for a potential housing development will be designated as a village green.

Friends of Walmersley Village (FOWV) last year applied to Bury Council for village green status for the land at Springside Road, adjacent to Christ Church Walmersley.

Campaigners had argued that if the land was designated as a village green, it would effectively protect the open space and prevent it from being considered for the building of 44 homes.

In 2012, it was reported the church could sell the land for £1.1 million and that the Affordable Housing Consultancy and V9 Developments were working with Great Places Housing Group on the development plan.

The money raised would allow the church to upgrade its hall to provide a community facility.

Later, it emerged that the proposal could be scuppered if Christ Church officials put the land on the open market to generate better offers.

FOWV claimed the church has rejected several plans they created which would have saved the field, while enabling Christ Church to generate the finances required.

Christ Church is objecting to the proposed village green status and will be represented at next week’s public inquiry.

It will be chaired by independent inspector Alan Evans is scheduled to take place at Bury’s Fusilier Museum next Tuesday and Wednesday, between 10am and 5pm.

If the hearing goes into a third day, the venue will be switched to Bury Town Hall.

Following the hearing, the inspector will give his recommendations to Bury Council which will ultimately make the final decision on the issue.