VILLAGERS are hoping to use the last resting place of a 153-million-year-old dinosaur to stop a football pitch and drainage pond on green belt land.

A total of 389 Cumnor residents have so far signed a petition against Persimmon Homes' plans to put a recreation ground adjacent to Cumnor Hurst close to where Europe's most complete skeleton of the dinosaur Camptosaurus was discovered.

The remains of the 153-million-year-old Jurassic-era dinosaur were discovered by workmen about 130 years ago and are currently on display at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Campaigners claim altering the state of the fields could damage the Hurst Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designated in 1986 for its geology and rare mosses, liveworts and lichens.

Priscilla Waugh, of Queen's Close, Cumnor, said: "It's an immensely important site. A lot of people have been very surprised that this dinosaur discovery was made here, it is very special.

"It's part of our legacy and part of what makes living in Cumnor special and it's something we need to look after.

"An area like this cannot survive as an isolated gem in the middle of an area of human development.It needs to be buffered against human activities such as parties, games, sports and simple thoughtlessness."

Protesters fear the rural character of Cumnor Hurst could be destroyed by the plans. The beauty spot is well used by walkers and joggers and was also known to be well loved by the 19th-century poet Matthew Arnold.

A planning application for a change of use on the site was not determined by the Vale of White Horse District Council with Persimmon, which is also building 192 homes close by, now lodging an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Mark Fiedorowicz, 41, who lives on Cumnor Hurst, said: "This is an important site, if dinosaur remains were found in the hurst who knows what other treasures could be lying on this land? I can't imagine seeing 50 kids on the land trashing it."

Dr Vanessa Cheel said: "People are vehemently opposed to these plans. We need sports facilities but this is totally the wrong place.

"It will undoubtedly damage the SSSI site and it's a potential safety issue for the children putting a playing field next to a balancing pond."

However Natural England has removed its original objections to the plans after developers Persimmon Homes said they would erect fencing and plant thorny hedges to protect the SSSI site.

Andrew Hammond, managing director of Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, said: "The site does fall within the Green Belt. However, the proposed form of use can be deemed acceptable in the context of Green Belt policy.

"It is typical for sites which have historic or archaeological importance to have conditions attached to the planning consent. Neither of the Cumnor Hill consents had conditions attached.

"It is therefore assumed that the local authority does not consider the site to have importance in this respect."