SELBORNE residents have been adding their names to a petition urging the Secretary of State for the Environment to support the retention of two recently excavated ponds in Coombe Meadow.

Condemned by some as causing Òa blot on Gilbert WhiteÕs historic landscapeÓ, others are heralding the project as Òan attractive assetÓ and they would loathe for the ponds to be filled in.

Led by local mother of two, Anna Fox, and neighbour Ian Warren, the petition would indicate that many local folk are determined to fight any decision which would see the demise of the ponds and scrapes, restored by land owners, Peter and Nichola Minns, on the site of 15th century Monks dew ponds.

Undertaken originally under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, the project is a contentious one which has elicited strong feelings, especially among those who believe Gilbert WhiteÕs landscape should remain unchanged.

Many regret the fact that there was no prior consultation over the matter, because the owners were unaware that the excavation of the ponds on their own land at Wick Hill Farm, Hartley Mauditt, would require planning permission.

But now that they are in place there appears, from the petition, to be an overwhelming consensus that the ponds have added to the attraction of Coombe Meadow and that they should stay.

Having spent just two hours door knocking on Monday, Anna Fox had collected more than 100 signatures with only three people refusing to sign. And she and her team had most of the village still to cover.

ÒThose who were opposed seemed more concerned about the retrospective nature of the application,Ó said Anna who pointed out also that some people would prefer the third pond, which is not yet finished, to remain as a natural marsh area.

She, like many in the village, is enchanted by the ponds and believes that to fill them in on policy grounds would be nothing short of Òdogmatic nonsenseÓ.

ÒThis was always a beautiful spot but the ponds have made it twice as beautiful,Ó says Anna who was shocked to hear that if the appeal fails the MinnsÕ could be made to fill them in.

ÒIt is wonderful for the children to have the ponds, there is such a lovely feel to the area and they have encouraged so much wildlife - I have noticed many more visitors to the area which much be good for the local economy,Ó she said.

Nonetheless, the ponds have become the subject of a controversial retrospective application, dismissed under delegated powers by East Hampshire officers on policy grounds.

They believe the MinnsÕ environmental project constitutes Òan unacceptable intrusion of development into the countrysideÓ which is to the detriment of the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - an area which it is proposed will fall within the confines of the new South Downs National Park.

They point out also that the proposal has involved the excavation of ponds and scrapes in the countryside, beyond any area identified in East HampshireÕs Local Plan and with no overriding justification being made on grounds of agricultural need.

And they fear that the ponds will result in the loss of an area of local nature importance within a river corridor and will adversely affect the amenity of users of a public right of way which crosses the land.

Local photographer Ken Peacock is among those who have signed the petition and have made their views clear by writing to the Secretary of State for the Environment in support of the appeal. In his letter he accuses local planners of a Òlack of visionÓ, pointing out that Coombe Meadow used to be Òa mud bath with only the high undulating bank allowing walkers to cross at their perilÓ.

He believes that restoring the bank to its original form has in fact transformed the field into a wildlife sanctuary.

ÒAnyone who visits the site is conscious of the growth of nature since the ponds were re-established,Ó writes Mr Peacock who is of the opinion also that the footpath has been Òvastly improvedÓ.

In conclusion, Mr Peacock states what many appear to believe that: ÒThis area is now a local beauty spot which attracts many visitors to see its increasing natural beauty. Only those who do not appreciate the countryside would consider filling in what was originally excavated probably 600 years ago and restored recently.Ó