RESIDENTS who waged a five-year fight to stop houses being built on a Preston recreation ground are celebrating this week.

People living in South End, Riversway, have been told an application to build 19 three-story townhouses on land at Broadgate has been turned down by a government inspector.

The plans had been submitted by a private sports and social club which leases the site from housebuilder Newfield Jones Homes, based in St Annes.

Blueprints to build more than 120 properties on the plot were withdrawn five years ago and the revised plans were thrown out by Preston Borough Council.

This week it was revealed that Newfield Jones Homes' appeal to the Secretary of State had also failed.

Resident Geoff Tyrer claimed: "Newfield Jones blackmailed the club into submitting the application, by agreeing to give them a long-term lease if they did.

"All the locals are thrilled to hear that the appeal has been turned down."

His views were mirrored by Preston MP Audrey Wise. She said: "This is excellent news. The Secretary of State's inspector showed a great breadth of vision in saving a beautiful part of Preston.

"I have written letters opposing the plans, and the local councillors have supported the residents' campaign throughout."

The revised plans would have involved building on around 18 per cent of the site.

John Hayfield, managing director of Newfield Jones Homes, said: "The application was a mutually convenient solution between ourselves and the sports club - not blackmail.

"It needed a secure future, something we would have been able to give them, had the application been a success.

"The truth of the matter is that the club now faces an uphill battle to survive. An extended lease would have meant it could apply for Lottery, or private, funding."

He added: "The club has noithing to fear from Newfield Jones Homes."

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