Campaigners are celebrating after an historic Shipley fairground ride was given Grade II listed building status - scuppering a controversial housing plan.
The Aerial Glide, Britain's oldest surviving park ride, at Shipley Glen Pleasure Grounds in Baildon, was given listed status after an emergency application was given the go-ahead within 24 hours.
Today campaigner Mike Short, who submitted the bid, said the decision would protect the Victorian ride from possible demolition.
In August last year the Telegraph & Argus reported how pleasure-ground owner Paul Teale was seeking residential status for the site and planned to sell it off to a housing developer.
His proposed scheme, which would have meant knocking down the fairground rides, sparked a petition of more than 1,000 signatures. The future of the neighbouring famous Shipley Glen tramway also hung in the balance.
The application was deferred by Shipley planners because of the huge protest.
Today a jubilant Mr Short, who lives opposite the Prod Lane fairground, hailed it as a "tremendous victory" for residents and protesters.
"The status means the ride's architectural and historic interest would have to be carefully considered if any plans were submitted for that site and we are certain that this will stop any housing developments," said the 53-year-old.
"I first went on the aerial glide when I was four. It's a wonderful ride that has been enjoyed by three generations of my family and it should be preserved for future generations.
"We would argue that no buildings should be built within the curtilage of the ride and the status also means it will have to be properly maintained."
Campaigners feared the ride could be under threat after the park closed for the winter in mid-October, so Mr Short contacted Oxford-based fairground historian and town planner Nick Laister for advice on submitting a listed-building application to English Heritage.
The ride has now been listed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
"But because of the Royal Mail postal strike the 14-page document was caught in the backlog of post in London and arrived on the correct desk last Thursday - and amazingly it was approved within 24 hours," said Mr Short.
Mr Laister, who runs a website which specialises in amusement-park history, helped other campaigners secure Grade II listed building status for the first park ride in 2001, which was awarded to the Scenic Railway roller coaster at Dreamland, in Margate, Kent.
He said the Shipley ride was of huge importance to the country's fairground history. "The Shipley Glen Pleasure Grounds is an important tourist spot and a well-visited recreational resource - the fact it also includes Britain's oldest surviving amusement park ride makes it even more important," he said.
A DCMS spokesman said the status was given because of its historic importance regarding both fairground and local historical context. "It is the oldest surviving static amusement park ride in the UK and it also has a contextual historic interest with the nearby milling communities, including Saltaire," he said.
Mr Teale was unavailable for comment.
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