CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating that a woodland facing the chop to make way for future housing has been indefinitely saved.

Families, dog lovers and walkers can continue to enjoy the beautyspot at Longridge Wood in Middlesbrough following the mayor’s decision that no more trees will be cut down until a developer is found.

The land in Coulby Newham has been earmarked for executive homes since the 1970s.

A felling licence was granted by the Forestry Commission in 2009 when the council’s intention to build on the woodland was backed by an independent planning inspector.

But a spokeswoman for the Friends of Longridge Wood argued that the green haven was valued by local residents.

“We are thrilled with the announcement,” said Councillor Chris Hobson. “It would have been wanton destruction to have taken the trees out. People do use it, it’s a wonderful place. There are Easter egg hunts there, in summer children use it for cricket and football and at Christmas we decorate the trees with lights.

“The Friends of Longridge Wood have a voice and we are over the moon it has been heard.”

According to Middlesbrough Council, developing the site was an integral part of the drive to reverse the town’s population decline.

A spokesman said the previous removal of stripling trees from the site, not considered to be a significant wildlife habitat, was more than off-set by the planting of around 10,000 new trees and shrubs to create a new tree belt at Newham Grange Country Farm.

Any new developer on the site would be required to contribute more than £300,000 to local education facilities, green space and other local amenities.

Middlesbrough Mayor, Ray Mallon, said: “Longridge is a site that has been ear-marked for development for many years and it is vital we use that piece of land for housing development in the future.

“However we have no preferred developer at the present time and having listened to many people I have concluded it would be wrong to fell the trees when there is no prospect in the near future of the site being developed.”