Protest saves agricultural site from developers

Members of East Riding Council's eastern area planning sub-committee voted unanimously to reject proposals by Home Group, a registered social landlord, to build the properties on the outskirts of Leven.

The scheme would have seen a development of six three-bedroomed houses and four two-bedroomed flats constructed on a site that is now an agricultural field. There would also have been seven two-bed houses.

A dozen of the properties would have been for rent and five for shared ownership.

But the scheme, which sparked widespread opposition in the village, was turned down yesterday after a meeting attended by 60 residents with a further 40 objectors waiting outside.

Patricia Ablett, chairman of Leven Parish Council, said afterwards: "We are highly delighted. It has been rejected on planning grounds, which is correct.

"We are delighted common sense has prevailed. We still say this is the wrong place and their survey and figures are flawed. The village is jubilant."

The development would have been funded by the Homes and Community Agency, and gone some way to addressing the lack of affordable housing in the area.

The was backed by housing officers, who cited two surveys as proof of need.

A postal survey in 2006 identified the need for a total of 63 affordable houses over a five-year period.

A report to the committee said further evidence of need was provided by the waiting list for council houses in the East Riding.

But the parish council described the research as "seriously flawed" and out of date. It said developments carried out in Leven since then had seen a range of new housing built that allowed first time buyers to get on the property ladder.