ANGRY residents vowed to fight moves to build on an open space in Weymouth when they turned out in force for a public meeting.

More than 250 people turned out for the meeting organised by Wyke Regis Protection Society against work at Markham and Little Francis at Lanehouse.

They attacked the ploughing and clearing of land but also pledged to fight any future plans for housing.

People queued to sign up to an action group, made donations and vowed to write letters as a campaign and fighting fund were launched at All Saints' School last night.

Society chairman Richard Price said: "It was an excellent meeting.

"Our aims were to gather evidence about what was on the land so it could be sent to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) but also launch a campaign. Now we are well on the way."

Organisers handed out a statement from Betterment Properties, which has now taken a stake in the freehold and management of the land, which set out its case.

The Weymouth-based company had started to plough and clear the land last week, but its operations were suspended for Defra to hold an environmental assessment.

Mervyn Stewkesbury, Betterment boss, said in the statement that the company had commissioned reports before carrying out work, improved land and consulted such organisations as the Dorset Badger Group.

His statement said that Betterment wanted to put agricultural land on the site to agricultural use and manage the other areas in a 'correct manner'.

He added that the firm's ecological consultant said Betterment had done 'nothing wrong' and that he was confident the Defra stop notice would be withdrawn.

And today Mr Stewkesbury said: "I am looking to build houses, but the land is outside of the current town plan. They are putting the finishing touches to the 10-year plan now. In that plan the land has been excluded although the previous owners have asked for it to be included and have asked for it to be included in every plan revision over the past 40-odd years."

He added that he would carry on asking for it to be included along, as other landowners in Weymouth have done who want to get their land included in the local plan.

Ken Stroud, of Hardy Avenue, Weymouth, said: "I have walked through those fields for 25 years. My father and I have counted 78 Pyramid Orchids on that land. If I picked one I would be fined £1,000 - yet they have ploughed the land like this."

Aly Pepperpot claimed she stood in front of tractors for fear of badger sets being damaged in the work.

She said: "My nephew and I sat in front of tractors. Why can't more wildlife on the site be protected."

Defra officials visited Markham and Little Francis yesterday to see Betterment boss Mervyn Stewkesbury and a delegation from the society.

Its investigation into the value of wildlife and flora on the site is expected to take two to three months.

Residents were urged to send factual letters about the site's history and evidence of wildlife and flora - such as bird surveys and pictures - to DEFRA with copies to Councillor Jim Churchouse.

Some residents called for firm action if there had been rules broken and for land to be restored to how it was before.

The work on the land came before the start of a public inquiry into the borough's local plan - which has previously designated the area as open space and not fit for housing.

Coun Churchouse chaired the meeting and Coun Mike Byatt led the calls for a campaign to be launched but Coun Ray Banham and Kate Wheller also backed the stand.

Some residents angrily attacked the council for failing to inspect the land quicker and for not taking action.

Colin Thomas, from Rodden, said: "The support from the borough and county council on a lot of issues on this has been sloppy.

"Have I got assurances that the council will come down hard if there is any wrong doing?"

But Richard Burgess, council director of environment, said the council was not told of the work starting but that it had been there as quickly as possible and there was no action it could take as no planning laws had been broken.

Organisers urged people to send evidence of the value of the site to AJ Adams, RDS, DEFRA, National Land Management Team, 100 Southgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2BD and copies to Coun Churchouse at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, North Quay, Weymouth.