Environmental campaigners who saved an open space in Borehamwood are asking people to join their group to help improve the state of the land.

The 12-year battle to stop developers building on the site, north of Barnet Lane, ended in July with the land receiving village green status.

Pressure group WHOSE! (Woodcock Hill Open Space 4eva!), run by councillors Pat Strack and Sandra Parnell since 1996, collected £25,000 in donations to hire a barrister for an inquiry on Woodcock Hill held a year ago this month.

In September, Hertfordshire Countryside Management Services carried out a site survey to advise what should be done to make Woodcock Hill safe for residents and to protect flora and fauna.

Mrs Strack said: “Woodcock Hill needs to be managed and a programme of conservation undertaken. Although the site is secure and cannot ever be built on if we do nothing gradually the field will be completely taken over with brambles.”

WHOSE! will soon be officially known as Woodcock Hill Village Green Trust (WHVGT) as members are in the process of applying for charity status.

Mr Strack said: “We cannot call ourselves a trust until the charity commissioners officially approve our constitution and application. Trust will be added when we acquire that status.”

Mrs Strack added the committee were applying for grants to help with the conservation work required but members were needed to join the trust.

Existing members of the group distributed more than 500 leaflets and 100 letters last week to residents near Woodcock Hill with membership application forms included.

She said: “Membership of the trust will be £5 per household per annum or £50 for life membership. We need at least 200 households to join. Residents shouldn’t leave it to someone else to put their hand in their pocket. We know times are hard but every penny raised will be spent on conservation work.”

An inaugural public meeting of the trust will be held at Summerswood School, Furzehill Road, Borehamwood, on Tuesday, December 2, at 7.30pm.