RESIDENTS are preparing the battle-lines to stop a park being concreted over to make way for hundreds of homes.
   Gleeson Homes has unveiled plans for a large housing development on the Barn Hall open parkland area at Wickford.
   The outline planning application comes despite a petition with more than 1,000 names against development of the 100-acre site and cross-party opposition from Basildon Council.
   The site, which is popular with dog-walkers and children, could take up to 1,500 homes, but it is unclear from the application how many are being proposed.
   Jacqueline Boyns, of Wickford Action Group, which was formed to fight the plan during a public consultation last December, said: "We must really step up the campaign. We are producing posters to put in people's homes.
   "We want to make sure people know how to object. It has to be on planning grounds only."