Residents of a village near Oxford are celebrating after a long battle to save a historic railway bridge ended in victory.

Campaigners celebrate after the plans were blocked

British Rail property holding company BRB (Residuary) Ltd had appealed against Oxford City Council's rejection of an application to demolish a former railway bridge in Horspath village.

Yesterday, the appeal was dismissed. The decision marks the culmination of a 12-year battle for the bridge in which residents sent off more than 1,000 protest letters to the city council and planning inspector Robert Lyon.

Villagers feared the demolition of the bridge would lead to the building of a housing development in the area by land owner Brian Kelly.

At the three-day planning inquiry held in Horspath village hall in November last year, more than 40 residents put forward arguments why the bridge should be kept.

In his report, the planning inspector concluded that the demolition of the bridge would not be an inappropriate development in the Green Belt and would not lead to increased rat-running.

He said the bridge was unlikely to be reopened as a rail route in the future and its demolition would not particularly affect wildlife.

But his overall conclusion was that the impact on the character and appearance of the area was so negative it outweighed all the other factors. He said in the report: "It comes down to this: locally the bridge is seen as unique.

"While it is not especially attractive, it contributes greatly to a sense of local identity and pride."

He also said it would take trees 15 years to grow high enough to provide cover.

He added: "Although it is not of any particular merit visually or as an example of engineering, what is unusual about this bridge is its location, which is so near the heart of the village that it helps to define the village. Indeed it is a prime reminder of the Victorian part of Horspath's history.

"That it is viewed with favour and pride locally is evident not just by the representations made at the inquiry, but by the fact that I was shown evidence of school projects."

Horspath parish councillor David Horsley said the decision was a victory for people power.

He said: "Bells are ringing in the village at the moment, it is great news. The power of the people has saved the bridge."

Campaigner Peter Prescott, 79, of Manor Drive, added: "We put on a good show and we are very happy with the result. It is not a victory as BRB can go to the High Court, but hopefully that won't happen." BRB director of structures John Clarke said: "We did our best with it and we thought we had made a very good case, but clearly the inspector is impartial and we have to respect his decision. It is too early to say for definite whether we will take it further, but I would not have thought so I think this has run its course."