Plans to build more than 100 homes near Skipton have been thrown out.

A packed Skipton Auction Mart echoed to cheers as Craven District Council’s planning committee ignored officer advice and refused outline plans to build on greenfield site Elsey Croft.

Councillors, who voted five to four against, were warned that a decision to refuse would be difficult to defend if the developer, Skipton Properties, decided to lodge an appeal.

Sian Watson, the Council’s planning policy manager, said a comparable unsuccessful appeal had cost the authority £138,000.

Planning officer Roger France said councillors faced a difficult decision, but stressed they were up against the Council’s own failure to meet Government-set housing targets of 250 new homes per year.

Councillor Alan Sutcliffe suggested it was a bad time for developers to lodge appeals in the light of changing planning policies and the forthcoming Localism Bill, which would put greater weight on community opinion. David Walton, agent for applicant, Skipton Properties, said the development was needed and new houses would bring vitality and jobs.