A planning inspector has ruled that the Church of England can build offices on allotments.

Campaigners reacted with disappointment to the ruling, following a long campaign to try to save the site from development.

Planning inspector David Rose said although the proposals for the site at Skimmingdish Lane, Bicester, was a "stand alone development beyond the existing limits of the town" it would generate much-needed jobs.

Mr Rose said: "I consider that the impact on the countryside, the setting of the town and the outlook of residents would be minor in comparison with the need for employment land."

In August 2005, the Oxford Diocese evicted gardeners who were cultivating the plots without permission.

A campaign to save the site was launched, winning the support of celebrity gardeners Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh.

Cherwell District Council threw out plans for an office block and car park - saying the site was unsustainable, was not earmarked for development and had valuable recreational uses.

Bruce Tremayne, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said: "The CPRE is very concerned that this approval will eat into the Bicester to Launton gap and will be the forerunner of intrusion into the countryside north of Bicester."

Lawrence Webb, of Tangmere Close, led the campaign after the Diocese ordered him off the plot he was tending. He said: "The Church spent thousands proving their case, which, at the start, included pleading poverty, even though they are one of the richest landowners in the country.

"The money from this should help them get richer, so hopefully they won't have to plead poverty to their parishioners any more."

The Church said that as a charity it had a legal duty to make the most of its assets.

A spokesman for the Diocese said its land committee would now decide the future of the allotments.