Residents fighting to protect their park are celebrating a temporary reprieve after the council agreed to put work on hold to create a path and access serving an adjoining new free school.

People near Alexandra Park in Hoole have reported Cheshire West and Chester Council to the Local Government Ombudsman for failing to follow the correct procedure when it applied a planning condition requiring a private access for St Martin’s Academy through the park.

Work to remove a section of hedge for a rear gate was due to begin last Thursday, just ahead of the start of the bird nesting season on March 1, but was postponed at the 11th hour when ward councillors Alex Black and Bob Thompson intervened.

Cllr Black said: “The council has decided that this work should not go ahead today in order not to damage further relations with local residents. It came right down to the wire with the contractor putting in a metal cage where he intended to work and an urgent meeting being held at 91 Hoole Road between the site agent and council officers.”

Campaigner Gerald Kelly, from Lime Grove, Hoole, said: “We are very grateful to Bob and Alex for their unstinting support for our campaign. They have been true spokesmen for the community which they were elected to serve.”

Council spokeswoman Laura Johnson said: “Given that the permitted pathway hasn't yet been constructed, and we are aware of sensitivities within the community, the decision was taken on Thursday morning, to suspend intended hedge works planned within Alexander Park.

“The reasoning behind this decision is that the hedge works themselves are not a significant job in terms of physical time and can be completed at a later date.

“Whilst awaiting the outcome of the Ombudman’s enquiry, it is common sense that any works that aren’t deemed imminently necessary should be put on hold.”

A spokesperson for St Martin's Academy said: “We have every faith in the professional bodies dealing with the situation within the local authority and green spaces team. We very much hope a conclusion can be reached that all parties, including the wider community, are happy with.”