CHILDREN, parents and dogs gathered in Coombe Meadow, Selborne, on Monday to support the retention of two recently excavated ponds.
And, say the children, they want the third pond to be constructed as well.
This latest demonstration of public support comes as the Secretary of State for the Environment prepares to deliberate on an appeal by landowners, Nichola and Peter Minns, into East Hampshire District CouncilÕs refusal to grant retrospective permission for the reconstruction of 15th century Monks Dew ponds on land at Wick Hill Farm, Hartley Mauditt.
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.
In giving their views on the matter, local youngsters Joanna Dinnematin (9), Felix Fox (14), Louis Fox (10), Charlie Penhallow (11), Jonathan Boyd (12) and Stephen Boyd (15) described the ponds as Òreally beautifulÓ.
They and their friends visit the area regularly, enjoying the freedom to play, walk their dogs, cycle and enjoy the increasing variety of wildlife in a setting which can only be described as ÒidyllicÓ.
ÒThe ponds look much better than the boggy marshland which used to be here - they are a big improvement to the countryside Ð a change for the better. They make the land more interesting,Ó proclaimed the youngsters who vowed to Òlay down infront of the bulldozersÓ if the ponds had to be filled in.
Whilst perhaps not keen to condone a full scale protest by their off-spring, the parents were equally convinced that the ponds should stay.
Welcoming the environmental project as Òa vast improvementÓ they described the ponds as providing a Òglorious havenÓ where their children could play in safety.
In agreeing that change was acceptable if it was for the better, one father asked: ÒHow can the land owners possibly be accused of detracting from an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with ponds such as these Ð itÕs not as if they are planning to build sky-scrapers on the site.Ó