RESIDENTS fighting to protect an area of common land in a city centre are claiming victory, after a council’s handling of the site was criticised by the local government watchdog.

The Save Our Sands action group has campaigned for the restoration of part of The Sands, in Durham, since it was used as a temporary car park between 2004 and 2006.

Supporters claimed Durham City Council failed to restore the 1.2-acre plot to its original condition, leading to it being flooded and waterlogged.

They took their case to the Local Government Ombudsman, who has reached a finding of maladministration on part of the complaint.

Durham County Council, which replaced Durham City Council, has offered to continue to monitor drainage, smooth out any ridges from work known as "ripping" and pay David Williams, secretary of Save Our Sands, £150 for his time and trouble.

Mr Williams said: "Our group is called Save Our Sands and I think we have now saved it. Unless something really drastic happens the case is closed. We believe we’ve won the case."

The site was used for cars between November 2004 and September 2006. Residents claimed it was not restored satisfactorily.

It was claimed bricks, concrete and a plastic membrane were put into the ground and soil pressed by cars was not properly restored.

John Russell, an investigator acting on behalf of the Local Government Ombudsman Anne Seex said: "The mixing of the top soil with other material along with the council’s inability to explain why this was done amounts to maladministration."

A Durham County Council spokeswoman said: "Durham County Council was already monitoring this site following remedial drainage work and will continue to do so."

She declined to comment on the finding of maladministration.