ROE deer roam freely while protected and rare species such as the slow worm enjoy the shelter of the long grass and damp undergrowth.

This is the wildlife haven that Southampton City Council plans to concrete over - to turn it into a controversial travellers' camp.

Now one nature enthusiast has launched a bid to derail the scheme by getting the site designated as a village green.

Janet Ticehurst has made an application to register Monks Brook to protect it from any development.

It would prevent the council building a controversial 12-caravan campsite off Stoneham Way which has been bitterly opposed by residents and Tory councillors.

Mrs Ticehurst made the application with 30 letters of support, one with 60 signatures.

"We have so much wonderful wildlife it would be such a shame to lose that," she said.

Mrs Ticehurst pointed to her own photographed sightings of deer, lizards, kingfishers, the rare wasp spider and slow worms, which the council is planning to move in the spring.

There are also unconfirmed reports of otters in the brook and badgers digging for worms in the meadow.

She said: "It's very common to see the deer. They come through and feed in the meadow."

Mrs Ticehurst wants to save the meadow for the wildlife and many residents who use it.

"Monks Brook has been an amenity that the public has used for the past 50 years for recreation and games.

"We need to keep it for ourselves and future generations."

Planning permission for the sites, which was contrary to the council's own local plan, was granted in July and a Government minister declined to "call-in" the decision.

An attempt by Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, Councillor Royston Smith, to shelve the plans and reject a £1m grant was overruled by Labour and Liberal Democrats in full council.

Cllr Smith said: "I've never believed this land should be built on and I wish Swaythling's residents luck and hope the village green application is a success.

"Perhaps then we can move forward and identify a site that is more appropriate and that has cross party support."

He said the plans for Monks Brook, selected from a long list of 46 sites, should be shelved until the village green application is determined. An independent inspector will be asked to recommend whether to designate the land after reviewing the evidence.

Under new Government legislation Southampton is obliged to provide a transit site. It would make it easier for the council to move unauthorised encampments and save up to £100,000 a year spent on evictions and clean-ups.

An application has also been sent to Hampshire County Council, which is responsible for part of the Monks Brook site.