HUNDREDS of Guiseley residents fighting controversial plans for a housing estate were celebrating a major victory this week when the developers withdrew their plans.

But people living in Back Lane, who feared plans for 108 dwellings by Persimmon Homes would make their lives a misery, may find their victory short-lived - the developers are to submit another application 'within the next few weeks'.

Furious residents were so opposed to the plans for 69 flats up to five storeys high, 28 houses and ten maisonettes on the former YEB site that they held two public meetings attended by more than 500 people.

They also collected a petition of more than 400 names.

Persimmon this week acknowledged that there was no way that the plans were going to be passed by city councillors, who had raised concerns about the height of the flats, density of the housing, access and highways problems, lack of green space and lack of affordable housing, amongst other things.

A spokeswoman for Persimmon said that another housing plan would be submitted 'in the next few weeks' but refused to comment on the details of that plan.

One of the residents fighting the plans, Dennis Conlon, welcomed the withdrawal, saying it was a victory for the protesters.

"It's good news, but I'd have preferred for them to have withdrawn from the site completely and someone else come in," he said.

"They've shown their true colours already and it's not been favourable - they never listened to residents.

"It's a case of waiting and hoping that they've used some commonsense this time and taken out the flats and cut down on the number of houses. I just want something sensible.

"People are not necessarily against housing there, but they are against something as ridiculous as this plan.

"If the new plans aren't satisfactory, I'm sure people will not hesitate to fight them again."

Mr Conlon also criticised the current landowners, Yorkshire Electricity.

"They earn enough profits without having to go for the highest bidder. They should have gone with the developer who came up with the best plans and not just stuck with Persimmon and I would urge them to consider going with another developer."

Protests against the original plans included 225 letters of objection and letters from Paul Truswell MP (Lab) and Councillor Graham Latty (Con, Aireborough).

A planning report considered by the city council labelled the plans as 'unsatisfactory' and not addressing a number of concerns - despite Persimmon revising the number of dwellings from 117 to 108.