TWO Canterbury musicians have joined forces to record a protest song about plans by the University of Kent to develop the Chaucer Fields with student flats.

Called Concrete Lung, it features Richard Navarro and award-winning folk artist Brendan Power.

The lyrics are set to the music of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ and it is already received nearly 700 hits on You Tube.

Richard, who teaches music as well as playing with his own band, said: "I live with my family not far from the Chaucer Fields and we often go there with the children for walks and to play in the summer and winter.

"I just wanted to do something to highlight the Save Chaucer Fields village green campaign and music was an obvious medium for me.

"So I wrote the words and put them to the tune of Big Yellow Taxi because that great song has the same sentiment.

"The number of hits is creeping up which is good and if some small way it helps with the campaign’s success then I will be delighted."

The public consultation over an application by residents to have the fields designated as a protected village green closed this week.

The numerous comments by residents in favour of the move will now be considered by Kent County Council. The University of Kent has filed the only objection to the application.

See Thursday's Kentish Gazette for the full story.