Plans for a controversial travellers' site in Southampton will go ahead, it was decided last night.

It comes after Southampton council's ruling Tory failed to prevent the transit site being built on a green plot.

Labour and Liberal Democrats backed a motion to press ahead with planning permission for the site at Monks Brook, Swaythling, and accept £1m in Government cash to build the camp.

The move, which sparked a bitter debate, thwarted an attempt by minority administration Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, councillor Royston Smith, to reject the grant and let the planning permission gather dust.

His Tory party have argued Monks Brook is not the best site and have supported of a grass roots protest campaign by residents.

Councillor Jane Odgers, who won her Swaythling seat in May on the back of opposition to the proposed 12-caravan site, said it spelled the end for rare wildlife and part of Southampton's green heritage.

Councillor Matt Dean warned of planning blight and said the site was inappropriate and unsuitable.

But opposition councillors insisted Monks Brook should be used, accusing Tories of exploiting the fears of residents for political gain, exaggerating the amenity value of the site, ignoring council officer advice and ruuning the risk of breaching the council's legal duties.