Campaigners were celebrating last night after a planning inspector recommended Warneford Meadow in Oxford should be granted Town Green status.

The final stages of an inquiry into whether the 18-acre site in Headington should be declared a Town Green was held in May.

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust owns the land and wanted to dispose of it for development.

Town Green status would legally prohibit any further development on the site.

A final ruling will be made by Oxfordshire County Council.

Mother-of-two Sietske Boeles, 55, of Southfield Road, said: "This is wonderful news and we now expect county councillors to approve the planning inspector's recommendation.

"There is an orchard attached to the meadow and I understand that will also be preserved. The meadow is a real focal point for the community and people come running here, or walk their dogs along the footpaths, or go bramble picking.

"My two daughters, Anna, 19, and Sarah Janie, 16, used the meadow, and when I worked at the Warneford Hospital as a psychiatrist I walked across the meadow to work.

"This green space links lots of different parts of Oxford and is a real haven for wildlife."

Fellow campaigner Chris Dunabin, 58, of Hill Top Road, Headington, added: "We now expect councillors to register the meadow as a Town Green and hope the mental health trust won't appeal against that decision.

"The meadow is a lovely green space and we are delighted by the inspector's recommendation."

At the inquiry, campaigners gave evidence to show residents had used the meadow for pastimes like football or walking their dogs for at least 20 years.

They raised almost £40,000 to pay for the cost of being legally represented at the inquiry.

County council spokesman Paul Smith said County Hall had received the recommendation from Mr Chapman that the meadow should be given Town Green status.

He added: "The council's planning and regulation committee will now consider granting the meadow Town Green status on planning grounds."

Jane Appleton, a spokesman for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have not yet had a chance to look at the inspector's report and consider the implications."