PRECIOUS open space in a city estate has been saved from developers.

Plans to build new homes on the Green Link in Millbrook have been scrapped because residents voted 60-40 to keep the bulldozers away.

It's been hailed a victory by campaigners who leafleted scores of homes in the area urging a no-vote.

However, Outer Shirley Regeneration bosses said the result would disappoint residents who were hoping to see massive improvements to Mansel Park.

Community bosses wanted to sell off part of the Green Link, a patch of land between Sedburgh Road and Windrush Road, to raise £1m for park improvements.

About 40 flats were to be built to fund a new skatepark, cycle routes, a new pavilion and jogging trail.

Outer Shirley Regeneration members vowed to only press ahead with the plans if it won the backing of Millbrook residents. More than 4,000 leaflets and voting slips were posted out on the estate - and a staggering 890, nearly a quarter of residents, responded.

While 357 homes backed the plans to sell part of the Green Link, 533 votes were cast against the plans.

Mervyn Marquer, 68, of Cherwell Crescent, who was heading up the fight against housing, told the Daily Echo: "It's brilliant news. I have lived here for 36 years and I brought my children up playing on the Green Link, and in the summer I still go there with my grandchildren.

"People said it was under-used, but there are lots of flats round here with no gardens, and plenty of people used that land near their homes to enjoy being outdoors in the summer."

Roy Beazley, vice-chairman of the Outer Shirley Regeneration board, said: "Clearly, the views of local people have been expressed.

"Although it will disappoint those people who wanted to see the parks dramatically improved, the regeneration programme will of course still support proposals to improve the parks to a lesser extent."

About £200,000 of regeneration cash will now be ploughed into minor Mansel Park improvements.

Leisure boss Peter Wakeford added: "I'm pleased that a successful consultation has engaged so many members of the public. I look forward to seeing an improved Mansel Park that's in line with the expressed wishes of the community."