South Oxfordshire District Council had earmarked the land for between 300 and 450 homes in a bid to meet government targets for new housing. But an application by Henley Town Council to Oxfordshire County Council to change the field’s status was approved.

HRG Councillor Gill Dodds, who had vowed to “lie down in front of bulldozers” if any development was allowed, welcomed the decision. “This area is greatly valued by many people in the town,” said Cllr Dodds, who played in the field as a child and still lives nearby. “I’m delighted that we have made it as safe as we can for future generations.”

HRG Mayor Elizabeth Hodgkin said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Gillotts Field is a crucial green lung for the town and we wanted to see it protected. “We were very worried that the district council would attempt a land grab, or even use a compulsory purchase order. We don’t want the field built on — it’s as simple as that. I understand the district council wants more housing in the area but that is not our concern. “If the field had been built on we would have lost our border and it would just carry on.” She added: “We will hold an event to celebrate. We can beat the boundary and it would be lovely to have a town picnic.” Cllr Hodgkin thanked the town council staff, especially recreation and amenities committee co-ordinator Linda Martin, for their work on the application. She said: “The council makes these decisions but it’s the staff who put in the really hard work to make them possible. They did a wonderful job.”

The council made its town green application under section 15 of the Commons Act 2006. It had to prove its ownership of the field and that the site has been used for recreation, without permission being required, for 20 years. Now the rights of people to use the site, which is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, for recreation are confirmed in law and the land is protected from development and encroachment.

The Open Spaces Society, the Henley-based campaign group, advised the town council. General secretary Kate Ashbrook said: “This open space is important for local people and it is in a lovely setting. It is used for recreation, including dog walking and enjoying the beautiful wildflowers that abound there. “The district council will have to look elsewhere for its building site. “We congratulate the town council for its efforts to secure this space and on its far-sightedness in registering it as a green. “We urge other landowners to follow this excellent example and register their land for use and enjoyment by local people.”

The district council’s proposal followed an announcement by the Government that a combined total of 1,110 new homes must be built in Thame and Henley. Originally, it had hoped to develop the Henley College’s Deanfield and Rotherfield sites if the college successfully relocated to Highlands Farm. However, when the move fell through, the council suggested Gillotts Corner Field, arguing that Henley was an ageing town that needed to attract new younger residents. A district council spokesman said: “Henley has one of the greatest housing shortages in the district. Families in need can wait up to seven years for affordable housing in the town. “We are currently evaluating other possible sites for housing now Gillotts Field is no longer a possibility.”

In April, Gillotts Field was revealed to be a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to a gully that runs under the farm and finishes in the field. In 2000, the Henley Wildlife Group planted 2,000 trees on the site to celebrate the millennium.

For more information about town greens, visit www.oss.org.uk/village_greens
For Henley Wildlife Group see www.map-reading.co.uk/hwg/HTML%20files/wildlifesite_GillottsField.htm