WORCESTER'S Middle Battenhall Farm has been taken off an official 'at risk' register, it has emerged.
Eight months after Worcester City Council won a bitter dispute with developers, Historic England says the land's status can no longer be deemed in danger.
Back in March Miller Homes abandoned a planning appeal over building 200 homes on the ancient site, sparking delight among campaigners.
With the land earmarked as 'green space' under the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP), the document which effectively guides developers on good sites to buy, it is no longer considered at risk.
The Worcester News revealed last week how Historic England's 'at risk' register now features 49 Worcestershire sites, including the medieval City Walls, St Helen's Church, Lowesmoor Conservation Area and Edgar Tower at the city's Cathedral.
But Middle Battenhall Farm, which features an ancient moat, and the ladies' waiting rooms at Shrub Hill train station have been removed.
Worcester MP Robin Walker said: "I'm delighted by this, it's great news and a great outcome for democracy.
"It's excellent news for councillors and all those who campaigned against the development."
Last year the Victorian ladies' waiting rooms at Shrub Hill station, which date back to the mid-19th century, were renovated in a £461,000 project, which is why that site no longer features.
Cllr Lucy Hodgson, the city council's heritage champion, said: "Middle Battenhall Farm has come off that list because there's no longer the threat of unwanted development, which is very good news.
"What the register does is heighten the awareness of our heritage - the council does have regular, positive meetings with Historic England and that's why I'm upbeat.
"Heritage is much higher up the scale with the city council and there is greater awareness of what we have.
"There are plans to improve Edgar Tower and St Helen's Church, and the Lowesmoor Conservation Area is under appraisal.
"But it's not just up to the council, churches, individual landowners, the National Trust, Historic England, all our partners can help."
More than 1,000 people objected to the development proposals at Middle Battenhall Farm last year.
At one point the city council's planning committee came within a single vote of allowing the scheme to go ahead, before Miller Homes decided to trigger an appeal after the authority failed to either accept or reject it within national time limits.
A public inquiry was due to be held back in June, but earlier this year the developer revealed it was dropping its pursuit, saying it did not want to waste money due to the SWDP.
