Campaigners fighting government-backed plans to develop a �2.5m park-and-ride site on a wildlife haven are claiming a legal victory.

The High Court ruled on Thursday that land found to compensate for the loss of the popular Hampshire meadow was inadequate.

The decision means that council bosses cannot build the 420-space extension at Winchester until they have found a better piece of land.

The park-and-ride scheme has been at the centre of controversy ever since it was first drawn up in 1996.

The county council remains committed to the park and ride principle.

Keith Estlin Councillor

The latest court case, backed by local conservationists, was brought in the name of partially-disabled resident Elspeth Murray.

Speaking on her behalf, chairman of the Winchester Meadows Conservation Alliance, Keith Story told BBC News Online: "It's an important victory because it was a ruling that showed that the views of residents are important and must be taken into account properly.

"We are putting our other legal actions on hold as a result of today's decision."

At the High Court, Mr Justice Ouseley quashed Hampshire County Council's decision to accept land at nearby Magdalen Hill as compensation.

The council's executive member for the environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, said: "I'm very disappointed that the High Court has upheld this judicial review on one aspect of our much-needed scheme.

"The case for and against this development has been fully debated in public over several years.

Appeal refused

"The county council remains committed to the park-and-ride principle as part of its policies aimed at tackling congestion and to increasing the number of these spaces available to motorists.

"We will continue to seek ways to implement the park-and-ride site as quickly as possible."

Following his ruling, Mr Justice Ouseley went on to refuse the authority leave to appeal against the decision.

Its legal experts are now considering challenging that refusal.

Permission for the extension itself was originally granted by the then secretary of state for environment, transport and the regions in October 1998, following a public inquiry.