RESIDENTS have cleared a major hurdle in a campaign to halt a development near their homes.

People living near the proposed site of 40 residential care flats, on the former University College of Ripon and York St John in College Road, Ripon, saw members of an area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council vote unanimously to refuse the scheme.

The chairman of the planning committee, Councillor Nigel Simms, praised residents for their conduct at the planning meeting.

But because councillors voted against the recommendation of planning officer Mark Williams, the committee must consider the scheme again next month.

People living near the site said they objected to the three-storey element of the development.

Residents' spokeswoman Sheila Clements said they did not object to a two-storey development, but believed three-storeys would be too dominant and overbearing.

A protected colony of great crested newts has already been moved with the approval of English Nature to a newly-established nature reserve a short distance from the proposed complex for the elderly.

The application was made by Hanover Housing Association and also includes two-storey and single-storey elements, along with a landscaping scheme.

After the Ripon campus was shut down, planning permission was granted in September 2002 for a comprehensive redevelopment of the site involving town houses, apartment blocks, and conversion of the main college to provide 53 flats, along with community facilities including an extra care home and nursery.