OXFORD Stadium has been given more protection against developers as councillors voted through plans to list it as a conservation area.

The greyhound and speedway stadium in Sandy Lane was designated a conservation area at Oxford City Council’s City Executive Board in Oxford Town Hall.

A government planning inspector will hear evidence on Galliard Homes’ plans to bulldoze the stadium to build 220 homes from September 9.

But campaigners hope the move will make it harder for the developers to get permission to knock it down.

Save Oxford Stadium campaigner David Martin, 49, of Peat Moors, Headington, said: "I am very happy but it is what we expected after all the support we have been given in the last 16 months.

Councillor Colin Cook said: "I am really proud we have designated this site as a conservation area.

"I think the community value of this site is enormous."

The stadium was closed in December 2012. Oxford City Council rejected Galliard’s plans in January, but the developer launched an appeal to the planning inspectorate.