JUBILANT campaigners cheered as outline plans for a 150-home development were refused by councillors.

Plans were lodged to build on a field off Leaventhorpe Lane, Fairweather Green, with 100 of the houses being classed as affordable. But when the plans were revealed, the Save the Green in Fairweather Green kicked into action, raising concerns over flooding, the impact on schools, GP surgeries, roads and more.

Councillors also lodged their objection, along with Bradford West MP Naz Shah.

A report to Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee recommended the application be refused over flooding concerns.

Councillors moved to unanimously refuse the plans, with Cllr Alan Wainwright (Lab, Tong) describing the flood report delivered to the meeting as "devastating".

Part of the access to the site would have been over Pitty Beck, with the application including a raised road over the waterway.

Chairing the meeting, Cllr David Warburton said he had "serious concerns" over what had been put forward.

He said the developer needs to go away and "do a lot more work" to convince the committee.

But as campaigners celebrated, he warned them not to be surprised if the application comes back in the future.

Speaking at the meeting, objectors said the plans would have a "disastrous" impact on the community, generating "significant risk for our homes, our well-being and even our lives".

Objectors, including a representative from the Save the Green in Fairweather Green group, plus ward councillors Sinead Engel and Carol Thirkill (Lab, Clayton and Fairweather Green) as well as Sue Duffy, Bev Mullaney and Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton and Allerton).

They raised the issues of flooding and a video was played during the meeting highlighting how this had been a problem in areas close to the development site.

The meeting heard that many residents struggle to get flood insurance or face high costs.

The use of the land was also championed and highlighted as a "critical resource for the wellbeing of the city".

Objectors also spoke of their concerns regarding the development's impact on schools and other public services, as well as disruption through building work.

Fears were raised that building houses on the land would change the nature of the community from semi-rural to "full urban", merging Clayton and Fairweather Green.

It was said that a development of this kind changes the "social dynamic" of an area.

Kester Horn, from Space Partnerships, which specialises in affordable homes, said no homes were proposed on a flood plain and said the site was developable and viable following a phase two site investigation.

He added that two thirds of the development would be affordable - "well above" policy requirement. Mike Pitts, speaking on behalf of campaigners after the meeting, said the application had caused "stress and strain" and that he hoped the developer would take heed of what had been said.