St Andrews residents are fighting to prevent a beauty spot becoming a building site.
The former playing fields of the old New Park School and adjacent land will be used for housing if a construction firm is given the green light.
But those living around the meadow and woodland in the Canongate area hope to persuade Fife Council to ensure it remains a natural community asset.
BTW Trading Ltd, which trades as Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has applied for planning permission for housing, open space and ancillary uses.
No number of houses has been specified but the firm previously suggested the seven acres of land between Priory Gardens and Newmill Gardens was suitable for 30 properties.
Kingsley Smith, of Priory Gardens, is among residents opposing the scheme.
The site is designated in the St Andrews and East Fife Local Plan as protected open space and Mr Smith said: “Why would someone want to destroy it?
“It’s an absolutely beautiful open space, used by a lot of people.
“It’s the gateway to the Lade Braes, it’s used for walking, you see people picnicking there.
“It’s just a really nice place which people enjoy and it’s a great amenity not just for local residents but for people from across the town.”
St Andrews Environmental Protection Association, which is behind the legal challenge to the creation of the new Madras College at Pipeland, has also objected.
Secretary Sandra Thomson said: “This land is valuable for recreational purposes and clearly enhances the amenity of this area, despite its neglect in recent years.”
It is understood the land is owned by New Park Educational Trust, although a document lodged with the council by BDW Trading says it has control of the site.
Public meetings were held to explain the proposal and BDW Trading said alterations had been made in response to feedback, including adjustments to the entrance and repositioning of indicative housing near Newmill Gardens and near the core path and woodland.
The firm said that as an effective windfall site within St Andrews, the land could help to meet demand for housing and limit the backlog of supply occurring through the delay in delivery of the St Andrews West expansion.