CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after plans for a controversial £12.5m extra care scheme they protested would be an oversized blot on the landscape have been rejected.

The three storey block in Queen Anne's Drive, Bedale, was put forward by North Yorkshire county council and Broadacres Housing Association to provide a 59 bed complex to cater for older and vulnerable people.

But residents have fought a major campaign to stop it going ahead, warning the planned building was too big, too high,would cause ecological damage and create road chaos in a congested area.

There were also concerns that four housing association bungalows would have to be demolished. There were further protests when contractors moved onsite to thin out trees.

After two planning applications were rejected by Hambleton district council an appeal has now been turned down by planning inspector William Walton. He refused the appeal on the grounds of the effect it would have on the character and appearance of the area, in the light of the schemes mass and design, the loss of four bungalows and the effect of additional traffic. He said the conflicts were significant and outweighed the advantages.

Resident Anne Hare said: "We are all so happy with this outcome. Just a shame Broadacres have decimated the land and removed a lot of the foliage."

Bedale Town and Hambleton District councillor John Noone said: "I think this is a victory for common sense. The impact on the residents of Queen Anne's Drive and Firby Road were too much to ignore. The relief that residents are feeling is hard to contemplate.

"I very much hope North Yorkshire county council and Broadacres will take this on board and find somewhere else more suitable for this important facility for Bedale and Aiskew. As has been stated over and over again we are not against the principle of an extra care facility but not in that location."

North Yorkshire county council and Broadacres have been asked for their reaction.