Years of campaigning to transform derelict garages into a community garden have been rewarded with a £15,000 grant from the city council.

Four years after people in Cowley suggested turning litter strewn garages into a garden, they are celebrating getting a step closer to their dream.

The garages in Barracks Lane were renowned for antisocial behaviour and drug-taking. A man died of an overdose in one of the disused garages in 2000.

Residents formed the community garden project, carried out their own consultations in the area and put together a business plan before they started fundraising.

They had to wait two years for the city council to carry out a survey on whether the site was suitable for housing.

The group put their plans forward to Cowley councillors numerous times and were frustrated by the lengthy process of getting the project approved.

On Wednesday night, they were delighted when Cowley area committee gave them £15,000. John Green, 50, of Barracks Lane, said: "We have worked flat out and met a lot of obstacles but now, through hard work from us, council officers and councillors, we have managed it.

"It will give us a real kick start. This funding will act as a lever to win us more funding, and it shows it's a valid scheme. We hope this will enable us to get a grant from the Landfill Trust."

Jane Huyg, of the community garden project, said: "We have worked so hard to get people on board. The £15,000 will get the first phase off the ground. We have wanted this for a long time."

A planning application to build flats on the site was refused by councillors two years ago in favour of the community garden scheme.

Residents complained they feared the garage site was a danger as it was riddled with asbestos and in July 2004, the city council demolished the garages and concreted over the area.

It will cost between £15,000 and £20,000 to get the concrete removed and the polluted site cleaned up. The total cost of the project is estimated at between £70,000 and £80,000.

The finished garden will include an education centre made from eco-friendly material where schoolchildren can learn about alternative energy. The group hopes to run courses in permiculture.