Campaigners are celebrating after successfully registering land in south Wales as a village green to stave off development.

The Open Spaces Society helped local residents who gathered evidence that land at Bishop’s Grove, Sketty, west Swansea, had been used for informal recreation for 20 years. Swansea Council agreed to its registration as a green this month. There were no objections.

Open Spaces Society general secretary Kate Ashbrook 

Resident Christina Sumner of Bishop’s Grove said: “This open space is the lungs of our community. We are thrilled to have saved it. It is so important to keep green spaces free of development.  

“It was a long struggle. It took us about two years, but we got there in the end. We should like to thank everyone who helped us, and to encourage other communities to register their open spaces as greens.”

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the OSS, said: “This is a wonderful outcome. Because the land belongs to Swansea Council, local people feared it might be sold for development.  Now it is safe for ever.  

“We congratulate the residents on their valiant efforts. They have set an example to us all.”

There were 96 submissions detailing evidence of locals playing football, cricket, dog walking and general recreation. Swansea West AM Andrew Davies also backed the bid.

The OSS also got its wish when a Devon council turned down an application for housing in Brixham.

Torbay Council’s planning committee rejected a bid to build 48 houses on the town’s Wishings Field, land being lined up as a possible green.

Kate Ashbrook said: “The proposed development would have destroyed this lovely open space, which local people hope to register as a village green. It also would have smothered the route of footpath BX9 which crosses the site.

“This is a crucial play space for local people. We are overjoyed that it has been saved from desecration.”

The application was made by Millwood Homes, a Newton Abbot-based development company.

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