THE Alton Community Forum lived up to its name last week when lively debate resulted in a call from residents, under siege from speculative developers, for East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) to "stand up and fight our corner".

Set up by EHDC as a way in which to share information and exchange views with Alton and the surrounding villages, as its name implies, the Community Forum also provides a voice for the people it represents.

And on Tuesday last week that voice was heard loud and clear – the people of Medstead and Four Marks in particular, it seems, have had enough of standing by while the developers march across their greenfield land and they want a regulated rein check before it is too late and their rural environment is changed forever.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.