CAMPAIGNERS have won a major victory in the war to save Lancaster's Piccadilly Gardens.

It comes in the shape of news that developers English Partnerships do not want to build homes on the nursery land.

Piccadilly Gardens is a project in Scotforth which provides work and a horticultural haven for more than 50 youngsters with learning disabilities.

Supporters began campaigning for its future when it was announced that site owners NHS Estates wanted to transfer the site to English Partnerships.

Now project manager Patrick Hynes says the building plan has been shelved - though the long-term future of the gardens is far from secure.

NHS Estates has agreed to visit the threatened site at the end of next month before making a final decision.

Lancaster and Wyre MP Ben Wallace, who has backed the fight to save the project, says: "I'm pleased that NHS Estates have agreed to visit before any decision on the future of the site.

"We are by no means out of the woods yet but this is certainly a positive piece of news for this remarkable project."

He adds: "No-one who sees for themselves the tremendous work being done there can fail to be impressed and I very much hope that after this visit, NHS Estates will follow the lead of English Partnerships and lift the threat of closure which has been hanging over it once and for all."

Mr Hynes says: "The main threat to us now is the length of time it takes to make a decision because that will affect any plans we can make for the future, whichever way it goes. How-ever, I am now very hopeful."