Mengham Park on Hayling Island is set to be given village green status, which will protect it from developers and keep it for the benefit of the community.

The move follows an eight-year campaign by residents and lengthy legal negotiations.

Hampshire County Council has said that the village green status is imminent.

Council spokeswoman Julie Gosling said: 'Hampshire County Council has received an application from Havant Borough Council to have most of the land voluntarily registered and, on the assumption that this will proceed to registration, that should be the end of the matter.'

The borough council will still be responsible for upkeep of the park, but no further building will be able to take place.

The campaign started in 1999 when Dr Fred Wright made an application which was signed by more than 100 residents.

Dr Wright, who lives in Oxfordshire, has a second home in St Andrew's Road, Hayling, overlooking the park.