CAMPAIGNERS want to save a former recreation area from development by having it officially designated a Town Green.

The Paddock – a grassed area next to Wallingford Hospital – has been fenced off by its owners, the Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust, since 2005.

The trust has no imminent plans to build on it, but campaigners have called for the area to be reopened and used as a public space.

Winning Town Green status would prohibit any building on the five-acre site, protecting it indefinitely.

Campaigner Nuala Clemen-ts, 63, of Brookmead Drive, Wallingford, said: “My family have used it for many years and I think it’s quite important that it should be kept on as a piece of land for the people of Wallingford.

“The hospital put a fence around it but that hasn’t stopped people from using it.

“Some people felt they shouldn’t suddenly be stopped from using a space they used for years.”

Arnold Grayson, of the Wallingford and District Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: “I think we have a strong case. It’s extraordinarily well used and if you go there on a fine day you see people playing frisbees and ball games as well as more formal things like football matches.”

According to the law, there is a five-year window for Town Green bids to be made, so, as the fence went up four years ago, there is a year left to submit an application to Oxfordshire County Council.

County and town councillor Lynda Atkins said Wallingford Town Council also backed the plan. She added: “It’s a space which people in Wallingford have been using for recreation for more than 150 years.”

To prepare the application, details are needed of people who have used the area in the past 30 years. Anyone who has is asked to call Ms Atkins on 01491 839120 or email her at lynda.atkins@ntlworld.com A spokesman for Oxfordshire PCT said it had no plans to remove the fence.

She said: “The PCT believes the site should remain in its current use, in order to ensure that it continues to have the flexibility it may need in the future to develop services in this area.

“The PCT has not considered the use of the land for housing.”