Residents fighting to stop a children's home being built said today they had won a partial victory after winning village green status for a piece of crucial land.

Campaigners at Netherlands Square in Low Moor want to stop the home being built close to their houses.

Two sites have been earmarked for the development, one for the home and one for access.

Angry residents had camped on the chosen sites claiming they had always been popular play areas and should remain so.

And now Bradford Council has agreed that one of the areas - the one earmarked for access - should be given the special status.

In a report to Wednesday's Licensing Panel it is recommended that the application for the area, which is surrounded by houses, is granted village green status.

Resident and campaigner Audrey Worley has lived there for 50 years and is convinced the land should stay as a play area.

She said: "Both areas should stay as they are. It is very important to us.

"My children and their children have all played there. There is wildlife in there and it is educational for the children. We have bats and foxes and rabbits and squirrels. It is a safe area for them with plenty of scope for adventure."

Councillor Dave Green (Lab, Odsal) said it was a partial victory but the fight would continue to make sure the second piece of land also gets the village green status.

He said: "We aren't celebrating yet but it is fantastic news so far."

A spokesman for the Council, which owns the land, said: "We are not opposing the application."

Netherlands Square was one of several sites across the city earmarked for homes, and some attracted stiff opposition.