THE threat of a green recreation area in East Oxford being turned into a building depot has been lifted in the face of fierce residents’ opposition.

Oxfordshire County Council wanted to turn the Meadow Lane recreation ground into a storage compound as major roadworks got under way in Iffley Road.

But the Iffley Fields Residents’ Association said the site is one of the most important green recreational areas in East Oxford, widely used for football along with informal sports activities.

The group had warned that the proposed compound would have been in a residential area, on a playing field and next to a children’s park and school.

Now delighted residents have learned that their pressure has paid off, with Oxford City Council accepting their case against the county council proposal.

The city council says it has turned down the county council application for a temporary works compound.

City council spokesman Louisa Dean said last night: “In light of representations from the community, the council has decided that we cannot proceed with the proposed licence for a compound at the Meadow Lane Recreation Ground.”

Mari Girling, chairman of Iffley Fields Residents’ Association, said: “This is great news.

“Green recreational space in East Oxford is too precious in this densely built and populated area for any of it to be relinquished for other purposes.

“Meadow Lane recreation ground is public open space and should be protected as such. It is not a corporate asset but a space we use and love.

“We made a stand on principle but at the same time everyone was shocked by the size of the compound that was being proposed.”

The residents’ group says that it is previously had to fight off proposals to use the ground as a temporary car park for activities at Wheels Skateboard park and for the nearby Oxford University Sports ground.

The recreation ground is also near to Aston’s Eyot and Long Meadow nature conservation areas.

County council spokesman Owen Morton said: “We will now look for an alternative site and are confident we can find a solution.”

Sarah Wild, planning spokesman for the Iffley Fields group, said residents and businesses in the area remained unhappy about the Iffley Road scheme, which began on Monday, fearing months of disruption.

Delays could be compounded by the scheme to remodel the Heyford Hill roundabout on the bypass. Work on the revamp has also started.

The first phase of the work in Iffley Road, between the Plain and Henley Road, will continue until March next year, with a four week break over Christmas and the New Year.

The second phase from Henley Street to Donnington Bridge Road is expected to follow on immediately and will not be completed until the end of November, 2012.