Residents in a historic part of Bradford were celebrating yesterday after planning officers refused permission for a new apartment block.

The Wibsey residents had been fighting proposals for the planned development on a plot of land between Northfield Road and Acre Lane, since February this year.

They had submitted letters of objection to Bradford Council stating that the plans would destroy the character of the area and worsen traffic problems, putting schoolchildren at risk.

Area planning panel chairman Councillor Clive Richardson (Con, Thornton and Allerton) said the application was being refused on the grounds of over-development, inappropriate design, over-density and a loss of residential amenities.

Maureen Buckley, 60, of Northfield Road, was at the meeting with her husband John, 64.

The couple's home backs on to where the proposed complex would have been. Mrs Buckley said: "We are in agreement with what has been said and the result is excellent. The Council officers have been very understanding, caring and considerate of our views.

"It is unfortunate that the developers did not come to us in the first place.

"We could have had a public meeting and discussed the issues."

Colin Wardman, 71, of Northfield, was also at the meeting. He said: "If the developers had come along and spoken to us we could have put our views forward and talked to them.

"We are not against something being built on the land but it depends on what kind of something it is."

Mr Wardman said detached dwellings for families would have been more acceptable than the proposed two-bedroom apartments.

The objections were backed by local Councillor David Green (Lab, Wibsey).

He said: "There is an acceptance that at some point this site will be redeveloped. Our objections relate only to the type of development."

The plans for the 23 apartments were submitted by Brighouse Estates, part of the Bradford-based Frank Marshall Group.

The 40ft high apartment blocks would have backed on to stone cottages, many of which are listed buildings and date back to the 18th century.

Marilyn Brichard, of Brighouse Estates, said: "We are going back to look through all the options before deciding what to do next."