GREEN Belts everywhere continually come under pressure for housing developments, so anything that can help prevent an urban spread outwards must be welcomed.

Among the green lungs to the north of Oxford and its surrounding villages is Stratfield Brake recreation ground - between Gosford and Water Eaton and Kidlington.

In fact the grounds, stretching to more than 60 acres, are more than just a place for sports pitches as a large slice of the land is ancient and newly created woodland, coupled with lakes or lagoons that offer a breathing space for residents of the two parishes. The close proximity of the Oxford canal is a bonus.

Knowing what we do of the prospects of more housing in south Oxfordshire, it was perhaps fortunate that Stratfield Brake became a recreational/leisure area as it helps extend the green buffer zone between the northern edge of the city and Gosford and Water Eaton and Kidlington - the latter holding the title of the largest village in England.

It was in 1987 that the two parish councils, Gosford and Water Eaton and Kidlington, began a search for a large piece of land suitable for recreation, mainly to provide sports pitches.

Carl Smith, clerk to Gosford and Water Eaton parish council, said: "John O'Shea, then president of Gosford All Blacks rugby club, asked us for help because their lease had expired on land at Langford Lane. We were aware of the need for more recreational land in the area and we were looking for at least 24 acres."

But no land owner was willing to sell. Much of the land around the two parishes was held by trusts and some owners probably had an eye to potential sales for development.

Altogether more than 20 possible sites were investigated by a working party, which consisted of representatives of sports clubs, along with parish and district councillors.

Eventually the land chosen was between Bicester Road near the Sainsbury store and the A34. Moves ere made by Cherwell District Council to compulsorily purchase the land.

Luckily, before that expensive exercise went ahead a farmer decided to give up some nearby land he leased from Oxfordshire County Council.

One major advantage of the site, just on the other side of the road, was that it included the old Stratfield Brake woodland.

So approaches were made to the county council and finance to buy the land came from a bid for more than £1m from the Lottery, which was handled by Cherwell District Council. Between them the two parish councils and also Cherwell had to find another £500,000.

The recreation ground was completed at the end of 1999 and a sub-lease was handed over to the two parish councils to manage the site along with Kidlington Cricket Club, Gosford All Blacks Rugby Club, Kidlington Running and Athletic Club and AFC Garden City Football Club.

However, the pitches can be hired by others through the Stratfield Brake recreation ground management committee.

The remainder of the site - including the woodland - was more than 40 acres. This was leased to the Woodland Trust, which extended the ancient woodland by planting out new woodland, mostly with oak trees.

At the Oxford canal end of the site, a lagoon was created with help from the Environment Agency.

It was in 2001 that the new woodland and wetland was opened and now enables people living nearby to enjoy the amenities of open countryside and woodlands.

The land has become popular with resients and circular walks have been made possible by the building of a footbridge over the canal, linking up with the canal towpath.

Mr Smith, a retired civil engineer, was consultant for the wooden bridge, which was provided by Kidlington parish council and a grant of more than £40,000 by Cherwell District Council. British Waterways co-operated and support also came from the Woodland Trust and the Environment Agency.

Mr Smith said: "The footbridge enables people to take a circular walk. Beforehand people could walk so far and then had to re-trace their steps."

Since Stratfield Brake was completed the flora and fauna has increased.

More than 70 species of birds - including red kites - have been recorded along with many mammals, insects and plants.

The land is obviously a valued green lung between the city and the two parishes.