residents protesting against a proposed housing development have won the first round of their campaign.

Councillors have defied planning officers' advice and voted against the scheme to build seven homes at Gallows Hill, in Ripon.

More than 80 people tabled objections to the plan, which was submitted by Home Housing Association and was recommended for approval by planning officers.

But members of a Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council voted against the scheme.

Because they went against planning officers' advice they must now reconsider the same scheme at next month's meeting.

Ripon City Council said the plan was over-intensive.

It also feared loss of amenity to homes and members were concerned about lack of parking.

But planning officers said the houses, whether for open market or affordable homes, were acceptable.

They said the loss of garages would be compensated for by two parking areas, while an important area of open space had been kept for public use.