MINETY residents have been celebrating after winning their battle to fight off plans to build homes close to the village primary school.

Hampshire landowner Stuart Cook, in conjunction with developer FPD Savills, applied for permission to build 34 homes on Minety School's playing field, owned by Wiltshire County Council, which lies inside the village's development boundary.

In return he offered to re-site the school's playing field on nearby land he owns, outside the village's development boundary.

The plans were met with furious opposition from residents, who were concerned that such a large development would ruin the character of the village, and would be the gateway to a much larger scheme on adjoining land also owned by Mr Crook.

Planners at North Wiltshire District Council refused permission for the scheme last March, but Mr Crook and developer FPD Savills, launched an appeal in September 2002.

News of the appeal spurred residents into forming The Friends of Minety, which held a number of charity events, including a benefit concert by the Cirencester band The Blues Grinders to pay for legal representation for the village at the appeal, which was held last month.

Last week, residents were told that planning inspector Clive Hughes had rejected the appeal as it was not in accordance with "local policies that seek to promote sustainable forms of development".

North Wiltshire MP James Gray, who vehemently opposed the scheme said: "I am very pleased at this decision."