RESIDENTS campaigning to save disused allotments have put a council chief on the spot.

Oxford City Council included East Minchery Farm in Littlemore on a list of potential housing developments for the future.

But residents say the land is well-used and any building would rob them of their last remaining green space.

On Wednesday, the council’s chief executive Peter Sloman visited the area and was given a tour round the allotments, which are close to Falcon Close in Blackbird Leys.

Lex Francis, a youth and community development worker with the Shout housing estate project, said: “We wanted to show him the land is in use and show we have a strong argument against the houses. Besides this land, all other green space you see is fenced off and not accessible to the general public.

“This is land where people pick berries to make jam, walk their dogs and children explore.

“It’s popular with campers and it’s a place for special events and get-togethers.”

The land was included as an option for houses in a council consultation on where development should be allowed until 2026.

The plan said previous public consultation found Littlemore had a shortage of public open space, but there were no plans to revive the site as allotments.

Mrs Francis said: “The visit was good. He listened to what we have to say, and all the residents had their say.

“He agreed to keep in contact with us, so that’s good. Now we just have to see what will happen.”

The preferred option for the development is housing with a “greater proportion of public open space than would normally be required,” such as a community garden or allotments.

The council refused to comment further on the site visit because the future of the land is still to be decided.

The consultation on potential housing sites closed on July 22.

The final document will be published this autumn and determine where the council will allow development.