A housing association has ditched its controversial plans to turn an empty school into a 20-bed hostel after opposition from a village community.

Protesters campaigning against Bradford-based Bridge-It Housing’s bid are now claiming victory.

The plan to transform the former private Shaw House School in Wilmer Road, Heaton, Bradford, angered many villagers.

About 200 of them turned up to an emergency meeting once news of the proposed development got out.

Elizabeth Hellmich, who was one of the campaigners against the plans, said there was vast relief that the proposal had been ditched.

“We got an official notice from the Council telling us the plans had been withdrawn and everyone felt vast relief at that. Objections had been made from across the whole community.

“We will have to keep our eyes peeled for future applications but ideally it would make a wonderful home for a big family.

“It would cost thousands of pounds to get it up to fire safety standards needed for a care home or hostel but for a family home it would be just right.”

Campaigners mounted a massive protest operation and even created a website telling people why and how they should object.

They said Bridge-It Housing had “not thought through” its proposals properly with either business-sense or consideration to the surrounding community.

In March Bridge-It Housing hit back, saying it was not in the art of deception and described itself as a successful charity. Despite its efforts to assure residents that no “hardened criminals” would be living at the hostel, objectors were not convinced and inundated Bradford Council with arguments against the plan going ahead.

Residents complained that Bridge-It’s plans were not specific, detailed and open enough and feared there was a lack of transparency.

Bridge-It director Clinton Griffiths said before the April 1 deadline for planning objections he already felt, despite a meeting of its own to outline their plans, that the community had turned its back on them.

A Council spokesman has confirmed Bridge-It Housing has since withdrawn the application.

No one could be contacted for comment at Bridge It Housing.