A playing field in Colchester could be protected by decree of the Queen.

Colchester Council is to apply to have the Irvine Road field, known as the Green, placed in a trust to stop it being developed.

The field, next to Philip Morant School and College, was at the centre of a dispute when the school wanted to build an access road across it.

The Green was saved last year when the funding to reorganise Colchester’s schools was withdrawn.

Residents want Essex County Council to sell the field to Colchester Council so it can become an official park.

But the bid could fail because Colchester Council does not own the land. It is leased by the borough council from the county council.

David Kennedy, of Irvine Road Residents’ Association, said: “The fact Colchester Council is prepared to put in an application is wonderful news.

“It’s something the residents have been fighting to achieve for years. We are in the process of doing a petition to send to Essex County Council to encourage it to give up the land.”

Philip Morant wanted to build a road from Norman Way for staff and contractors.

It got permission from Colchester Council, but only on condition the Government money came forward.

Paul Smith, ward councillor for St John’s, said: “There is no direct threat to it, but I think it is a prudent thing to do, especially given the problems with the travellers, as it gives us another layer of protection.”

If the council is successful, it will have to pass a “deed of protection”, stating it would not dispose of the field or build on it without permission from national group, Fields in Trust.

The application is being made as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, under which 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces will be protected forever to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year.