VILLAGERS in Bramhope are celebrating after a housing developer's plans to make last minute changes to new homes were turned down.

Residents in Parklands and neighbouring streets had campaigned hard against Consort Homes' bid to alter its scheme at Silvertrees Parklands, where building work is underway.

The company had already gained permission to build five houses on the plot after going to appeal, but on condition it stuck to those specifications.

So when an application to amend the plans, which would have seen three of the houses' roofs raised by 1.5 metres, was submitted neighbouring householders were outraged.

The altered scheme also sought to add dormer windows to the houses' roof-space and add a study area, with windows, above two of the garages.

Parklands residents James Bill and Stan Coates spoke against the proposals, which were objected to by 57 villagers, at a Leeds Plans Panel (West) meeting.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Bill said: "I'm very pleased, we've put a lot of work into opposing this. It was really a question of not allowing this much higher, and more aggressive scheme which would have seen the height of three of the houses rise by 5ft.

"The original plans accepted by the planning inspector when Consort went to appeal had quite clear comments attached to them, that the approval was only for those specifications and could not be altered unless they went to the High Court within six weeks.

"Then, lo and behold along comes this application which the planning people seemed ready to treat as a new plan, when it was a clear amendment.

"I made the point to the panel that the only people who could police the inspector's decision was the local planning authority, and to me they were failing to do this.

"My contention was that Consort Homes seem to be pushing it all the time and I told them it was about time they stood up to developers.

"I don't know if our words influenced their decision but I'm very glad they rejected the plans.

"Builders seem to be getting more aggressive and bold, trying to ride roughshod over the planning procedure, and if we allow that to happen the procedure will fall into chaos."

Planning officers had actually been recommending approval of the proposals, on the grounds they constituted a 'new' plan and so were not constrained by the inspector's decision.

But that argument didn't wash with the panel members, who have already clashed with Consort Homes this year over its contentious scheme at Swallow Drive, in Pool.

Bramhope Parish and Leeds City Councillor Clive Fox (Cons, Otley and Wharfedale), who sits on the panel, said: "I said the extra height of the buildings was inappropriate adjacent to the green belt.

"The issue of the design of the houses also came up because the effect of the extra height is to give them a square box type appearance, as opposed to the more conventional oblong shape, which renders them out of character.

"There was comment too at Consort yet again coming back with modifications and having, as I put it, 'yet another bite at the cherry' after a scheme has been agreed."

Coun Fox also successfully argued for the retention of a hedge, which the new scheme would have removed, because of its screening