Residents of a picturesque village near Andover are up in arms after a developer erected private property signs on a green that has been used by the community for centuries.

D.C. Li Builders Ltd put up ‘private land no access without permission’ signs this week in the ancient village of Monxton near Andover in what has been described as an "unscrupulous and vindictive act" by the chair of the parish council.

The company once owned the derelict Black Swan pub in the village. The pub has been at the centre of a lengthy planning dispute over a change of use to become a home.

D.C. Li split the title of the pub from the car park and green before selling the pub. 

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Chair of the parish council Mike Cleugh said this is standard practice when developers want to force planners to allow change of use or development as it makes the viability of the pub more difficult.

But villagers are now fighting back and have launched a petition to save the green for the public in a move backed by local MP Caroline Nokes.

The green, which borders the Pillhill Brook, has been a central gathering place for the village, hosting events such as flower festivals, Maypole dancing, fetes, and duck races. Residents have also used it for daily walks, picnics, and social gatherings.

Mr Cleugh said: “Monxton Village Green is much loved and an ancient community amenity. It lies in the heart of the village at the crossroads and is bounded to the north by Pillhill Brook - the only public point of access to this magical watercourse is by the green.

“This move by the developer is not surprising but it is unscrupulous and vindictive and we will fight it.

“The green has been in use for hundreds of years, in recent times there is clear use for flower festivals, first held in 1979 and Maypole dancing dating back many years."

Mr Cleugh explained the council fears a ‘domino effect’ as the Green and car park are not protected by planning policy now consent has been granted for residential change of use of the actual pub.

“The Judicial Challenge period for the Black Swan pub building residential consent expired last week, and the developer has made its move and sought to restrict the use of the Green. The old pub car park was cordoned off and we expect a planning application very soon,” he added.

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Conservative Romsey and Southampton North MP Ms Nokes added: “It is upsetting that a developer is attempting to restrict access to a green that has played an important part in a village’s life for centuries.

“The parish council is looking to protect its status and I am fully supportive of what it is doing. I will also be raising the matter with the relevant minister and the county council to see what can be done.”

A spokesperson for the company said: "We purchased the property in 2017 and agreed with Monxton Parish Council that the parish could use the land.  This agreement has not changed.

"Monxton Parish Council approached us in January 2018 to explore the possibility of building a new village hall on the land.  The company had plans drawn up and attended several meetings with the Parish Council over the course of the year.  Unfortunately, it did not get to be built."

When asked why the company still put up signs, the spokesperson said: "We were advised to put up a sign to clarify the legal position of the ownership of the land and that access by the public is by permission.  The sign does not affect the agreement we made with the Parish Council."