RESIDENTS in Morecambe were celebrating this week after planners threw out a bid to create 20 new houses on the site of a 1930s fire station.

There were fears that deprivation would increase if Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services won support to demolish the old fire station on Clark Street and sell the land for homes.

But Lancaster City Council's planning committee rejected the idea on Monday - deeming it inappropriate for the area's regeneration programme.

Members decided there was a greater need for public open space and community facilities in Poulton rather than housing.

Cllr Pat Quinton said: "This is the ideal opportunity to provide space for local people. We are not going to get an opportunity like this again so let's use it."

Twenty-one people had written objecting to the plans because they believed the area was already highly populated and extra homes would lead to more crime.

Morecambe Labour Party also called for the site to be used for community facilities, adding that further houses would put extra strains on service providers without any benefit.

And on Tuesday, Geraldine Smith MP said she was 'delighted' with the planners' decision, saying it would put residents' minds at rest because most of them did not want more housing.

"Poulton is already densely populated and has a poor outlook. I want to see units for business and office use and more community facilities - that is what the local community wants and needs," she told the Citizen.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire Service said he was disappointed with the outcome and other options for the building were now being considered.