A COLWALL school says it has no plans to sell a playing field earmarked for housing by Herefordshire Council.

The 2.2 acre field at The Downs School has been listed by the council as a potential site for around 20 homes.

The field is included in the council's draft Unitary Development Plan (UDP), a blueprint for future development in the area.

But headteacher Alistair Ramsey said the school had no plans to sell the land to developers as yet.

"No decisions have been made on whether we would sell the land," he said.

"In terms of opportunity, it means that the land is more valuable to the school. Should we want to raise money, we could borrow it against the value of the land, but it's certainly not something I want to do as I like having the playing fields."

David Nicholson, chief forward planning officer at Herefordshire Council, said that the site had been chosen following consultation with the parish council and the public.

He said the council would be holding discussions with the school and added that, as the plan covers the next 12 years, the school may revise its position in the future.

The revised UDP is due to be published in the summer, after which there will be public consultation before the final plan is adopted at the end of 2005.