Bilston protest: 700 people join rally against plans to build homes on playing fields - PICTURES and VIDEO

It started with a social media page urging people to make a stand and now the movement has massive support.

The campaign to stop the building of housing on Prouds Lane playing fields has proved the strength in feeling, say protesters.

On Saturday, the huge crowd gathered to show the anger at the proposal by Wolverhampton council for around 40 houses on the middle field.

They were joined by Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden.

The protest gathering came less than two weeks after the campaign to stop the development was launched.

Organiser James Comer, aged 31, lives with his family of six in Nightingale Place, which splits two of the fields.

He said: "This all began with a few of us getting together after hearing what was proposed and saying what can we do?

"We put up a Facebook group. That started of with five of us on there, now there are nearly 700 members. No-one wants the houses on the field. People around here feel very strongly and will protest against it."

The council wants to build 40 homes on the middle field next to the Scout hut in addition to a further 40 homes on the former Bilston Leisure Centre site, which adjoins it.

An application for homes on the former leisure centre site has already been submitted.

A report on the plans for the middle field will go before the authority's executive committee on Tuesday.

Mr Comer said: "For me and many families around here, we have a bond with the playing fields, we have used them all our lives.

"I know we need more houses, but there are many old industrial sites which can be built on – not a playing field used by a community."

Residents found out about the planned development in a letter sent to them by the council about a meeting over the building of homes on the site of former Bilston Leisure Centre.

The letter also referred to the plan for to develop the next door playing fields, which would double the size of the development.