Riddlesden residents have won their battle to stop an old village school site being used for housing after councillors voted against it.

Councillors at the Keighley Area Planning Panel last week unanimously refused plans to turn the former St Mary's Church of England First School site, in Banks Lane, into six houses and a church meeting hall.

Objections were raised by Westfield Crescent residents who felt that the proposed houses would overshadow and dominate their homes.

Following a site visit councillors came to the conclusion that the planned development would overshadow the houses below them in Westfield Crescent.

Worries were also raised over insufficient car parking spaces for the church hall. It was felt that the six designated spaces on the plan would not be able to cope if functions were held at the hall.

The council decision went against a recommendation by planning officers to approve the scheme.

Keighley North (Con) councillor Andrew Mallinson said: "I am extremely pleased that the planning committee have backed the public. It seems there are so many grey areas in plans that unless you have local knowledge you cannot see the full picture.

"The community is crying-out for a purpose built sports and leisure facility and this could be a suitable place. I would like to see the council help the community to buy the site."

Riddlesden Institute had put in a bid earlier in year for the former school to use it as a community centre but the owners declined the offer.

A spokesman for the institute said: "I can neither confirm nor deny that we will be making another bid for the school. We will be meeting up to discuss it."