TWO communities have united to try to raise more than £200,000 to buy green belt land to protect it from development.

Residents of Swanley and Crockenhill hope to buy the land off Green Court Road, which lies between the two communities, when it is auctioned off in Maidstone on June 11.

Developer Ray Mullins currently owns the land, which is divided into two plots, and has set reserve prices of £160,000 and £45,000.

He has submitted a string of planning applications for the field since he bought it in 2001, including building 87 homes, but all have been rejected after people living nearby objected.

Swanley Town Council’s Councillor Tony Searles, who is leading the fundraising campaign, says they want to “protect the land as a wedge between the two communities”.

He said: “We want to own the land so we can keep it as a green space, because if another developer buys it they will likely try to build on it.”

A residents meeting last week was attended by more than 130 people and Cllr Searles says around 20 said they would pledge money to buy the land.

Cllr Searles says Swanley Town Council is also holding a meeting on June 9 to discuss how to raise enough money to be top bidder at the auction.

Although Mr Mullins has clashed with the people of Swanley and Crockenhill over his previous attempts to develop the site, he says he will not begrudge selling it to them.

He said: “It’s a public auction and anyone can bid. Their money is as good as anyone else’s.”