MYSTERY surrounds the future of a YMCA in east Warrington after a public meeting heard that land next to it was being bought by a developer.

Concerned residents in Birchwood say they would be happy for the building in Hamnett Court to be bulldozed but not if that meant losing neighbouring green space to new housing.

"We're concerned about this field being built on," residents' spokesman Francis Valentine told Birchwood Town Council. "It's one of the only green spaces left in the area."

Rumours about the future of the YMCA and the land behind it have swept Birchwood since workmen and surveyors were spotted a few weeks ago taking photographs.

"One said they couldn't say what they were doing but that it was for Barratt Homes," said Mr Valentine, of nearby Whitworth Close. "Another said they were probably' going to knock the YMCA down."

Barratt Homes yesterday said that the land situated off Ainscough Road had not been bought from Oakwood-based housing association Frontis.

Frontis also confirmed this but both firms said it was one of the options' being considered for redevelopment involving the building of social rented and shared ownership family housing'. Neither commented when invited on what this would mean for the YMCA, which stands next to but not on the Frontis-owned land.

The YMCA, meanwhile, says no decision had been made to knock it down.

Birchwood's project director, Pam Rose, said the building, which provides supported accommodation for vulnerable young adults, was owned by YMCA England.

"They are looking at the future development potential for the site and are in negotiations with various organisations," she said. "Our tenants are aware of that. There are no firm decisions being made and if there had, our tenants would be the first to know."

Birchwood Town Council said it would write to Frontis.