CAMPAIGNING residents fighting a developer's plans to bulldoze through their cul-de-sac were left shocked and elated when planners told them: "You've won!"

In a bizarre scene, householders in Hornbeam Close, Clifton Moor, York, who had organised a banner-waving protest to greet councillors on their site visit, cheered and clapped after being informed the application had been withdrawn.

Coun Richard Moore, chairman of the council's east area planning committee, turned up at the street with planning officer Roger Armistead to break the news.

"I can tell you, you've won - congratulations," he told them. "This application is dead."

Developers Keyland Gregory had applied for outline planning permission to build 12 houses and create an access road through the cul-de-sac to Centurion Park.

Residents said they were "horrified" by the prospect, as it would create extra traffic and wreck their quiet street.

Councillors were set to decide on the application at a meeting today. Officers had recommended refusal because the area was supposed to be primarily for employment use.

Philip Keighley, campaign co-ordinator, who has a young daughter, had erected dozens of banners in residents' gardens which said: "No Access."

"We're delighted with the news. I think that this is 1-0 to us," he said. "I think our campaign has had an impact on the decision."

Resident Derek Shelmerdine said: "If they come back with another application, we will fight even harder. We will fight them in the cul-de-sac, we will fight them on the beaches!"

Keyland Gregory first applied for planning permission in March, 2006, but that was later withdrawn.

City of York Council planning officers said the developers had applied to put an access road through the street from the driveway of 12 Hornbeam Close.

Resident Sarah Watson was concerned about road safety for her three young children.

"We bought our house because of the quietness of the street," she said.

"I'm glad about what's happened, but it's just whether they put in another application."

Mr Keighley said: "We have done a lot of research and found that the recommended road width is 5.5 metres. In places our road is just 4.2 metres wide, yet the existing access road through the industrial estate to the land they want to build on is 5.8 metres wide. It doesn't make sense."