HALESOWEN residents fighting against the development of woodland at the back of their homes which 'is a haven for wildlife' are "absolutely gutted" after it sold at auction for £20k.

People living near the site, a former railway embankment between Linnet Close and Haden Hill Road, were hoping the land would fail to sell.

They are now in the dark about who has bought the 2.07 acre parcel of woodland, which was sold off by Persimmon Homes at a National Property Auction on Thursday November 25.

The land had been listed with a guide price of £75k and had already failed to sell at a previous auction in October.

But it was snapped up by a mystery buyer for just £20k.

A group called 'Residents Against Development of Land between Linnet Close/Haden Hill Road' has formed and has a Facebook site with more than 280 members.

Members say the land is full of "beautiful trees" and is a haven for wildlife including badgers, buzzards, foxes, owls, gold finches, bullfinches, greenfinches, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, nuthatch, blackcap, wrens, blackbirds, thrush and other wildlife with the green space one of the reasons why they bought their homes.

Clare Williams, of Haden Hill Road, said: "We are absolutely gutted the land sold because we don't know who has bought it.

"We are worried that the buyer doesn't understand what they have bought and will be wanting to push forward with housing.

"Our understanding is that there's a lot of trees on the site which are covered by TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders).

"Last weekend with the high winds we were crossing our fingers that no damage would happen as a lot of the trees need attention.

"If something does happen we don't know who to contact.

"On the Linnet Close side the trees are very close to the houses."

Residents were pleased when the auctioneer changed the listing to state there was a Tree Preservation Order covering the site and removed the mention of it being ripe for possible development of around 30 homes.

Sales notes had previously stated the land was "thought suitable for a residential scheme of up to 30 units, subject to planning consents."

Persimmon Homes has been contacted for comment.