CAMPAIGNERS battling to save playing fields from housing development lost their fight, after council chiefs voted plans through.

Basildon Council’s development control and traffic management committee voted controversial plans for 73 houses on land at Kent View Road, Vange, through late last night by five votes to two.

Residents who fought to preserve the open space for community use made passionate presentations to the committee during a tense meeting at Towngate Theatre.

The council wants to sell the land to developers to help to fund the £38 million Sporting Village at Gloucester Park.

For more details and reaction, see Thursday’s Echo.