RESIDENTS in Nelson who have been campaigning for years to block attempts to build more than 100 houses on land at Halifax Road were delighted to hear the news that the Secretary of State, Stephen Byers, had the plans by developer Fairclough Homes thrown out.

The minister turned down two appeals by the company to build 156 and 183 homes in fields between Halifax Road and Kings Causeway, in Brierfield, despite a planning inspector supporting the proposals at an internal inquiry at the start of this year.

The proposed development has been one of the most controversial housing issues in Pendle for years, with nearby residents uniting at public meetings to oppose the plans and gaining support from local councillors, as well as setting up their own Halifax Road Action Group.

Both residents and councillors were concerned with traffic increase, a loss of open space and flooding from the site. Today they were celebrating the minister's decision, but said they were disappointed that it had not been sorted out earlier.

Councillor Frank Clifford, chairman of development and control for Pendle Borough Council, said: "This is an example of councillors and residents working effectively together over two years, not allowing anything to stand in their way and showing tremendous determination to overcome all the odds. We've triumphed. Common sense has prevailed

in the end.

"I am delighted especially in view of the fact that the Best Value Review on the council's development control section was not a particularly good write up and kicked us in the teeth for opposing our officers. We have opposed them on this occasion and have come through.

"It is a major victory, but I am saddened that we had to go through all of this because the previous liberal administration ten years ago went against my wishes as ward councillor and insisted in zoning this piece of land for housing use."

In June 2000, Nelson and Brierfield councillors won their fight to persuade colleagues on the council's policy committee to refuse the application -- even though it won the support of council planning officers.

Opponents sent the council 45 letters outlining a long list of objections to the scheme and an action committee was set up to fight the plan.

Fairclough Homes wanted to build 135 detached houses, 17 mews homes and four flats.

The company appealed twice, once against the decision by the council to refuse permission for one of the schemes and a second time because the council decided on the other within the statutory eight-week deadline.

Resident Bruce Lamb, a member of the action group, said: "I am delighted, but disappointed it has taken so long. It doesn't mean it will never be used for housing, but the fact it has been turned down this time at least gives us some time."

Another action group member, who did not want to be identified, said: "It is great that we have won but I am disappointed that the Inspector approved the plans. We didn't know about his decision until we got the decision from the secretary of state so it all came at once.

"We were concerned about the safety of the road junction which would have needed three lanes and I thought the inspector might have turned it down on that basis."

A spokesman for Fairclough Homes said: "We are clearly disappointed with the decision taken by the Secretary of State and are currently taking stock of the situation and considering our position."