Whitchurch people turned out in force at a public inquiry into whether a local green space should be protected from developers.

More than 30 householders were at the opening of the three-day hearing at the Council House.

The Elmtree Park Residents' Association (EPRA) wants to secure town green status for the 15 acres of land behind Asda in Oatlands Avenue which would prevent it ever being built on.

Yesterday, inspector Lana Wood heard that the city council, which is opposing the move, cannot find significant documents to support its case.

The land is opposite Hengrove Park, a large part of which has been earmarked for 690 new homes, a community hospital and a swimming pool.

Bill Roberts, 65, a retired resident of Whitchurch Lane, said: "I walk across that land every time I go to Asda. It is beautiful, with lots of wild flowers and fruits. Children play football, rounders and cricket there.

"We don't want it built on because there is precious little green land in the area – that's why we want to save it.

"Already there are hundreds of houses being built nearby – we can't have this happening on this bit of land too."

John Button, 68, who is retired and lives in Cranwell Grove, was due to be called as a witness today.

He said: "This land matters so much because it is worth protecting. There is nothing to stop the council tomorrow from saying it can be built on – just because we use it as open space it does not have any protection whatsoever."

The council, represented by barrister William Webster, claim the land was changed from land with development purposes to public open space in 1980.

This would mean that the land could not become a town green.

Although they have not got reports or meeting minutes which would be expected to record such a change, they insist there is still reason to believe the council did make the change in status nearly 30 years ago.

EPRA, represented by barrister Daniel Bennett, argue that the land has been designated as development land and used by local people as open space since 1964, and that its status was never changed in 1980.

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for town green status. Some 50 residents have written letters, which also form part of the evidence, detailing how the park has been used for football, tennis, cricket, dog walking and picnics.

The inquiry should have been held two months ago but the council had not got its case prepared in time, and the original hearing in April had to be aborted.

The public inquiry continues today and is expected to finish tomorrow.