Residents are celebrating after the shock decision by a Harden company to withdraw controversial expansion plans.

They have received a letter from the high-tech ICR Group saying it is formally withdrawing its £500,000 scheme to build a two-storey office block on green belt land as well as a 73-space car park next to Harden Cricket Club.

Protesters feared their picturesque village would be turned into a huge car park. The chairman of the village society, Councillor Robin Owens (Con, Bingley), had described the planned 1,000 square metre block as a 'monstrosity'.

And Caroline Broadley, one of the most vociferous campaigners, gathered 600 signatures - half the number of villagers - opposing it.

The scheme would have created an additional 49 jobs expanding the workforce from 26 to 75. ICR - which supports call centres and e-commerce activities - said it could not find suitable premises locally, and if it did not win permission the company would have to find alternative offices in Skipton or Leeds.

The plans would also have meant chopping down 28 trees protected by tree preservation orders, though ICR managing director Jonathan Smith stressed more than 1,000 would be planted in their place.

But in the letter, the company says its dramatic growth meant it would probably need larger premises than had originally been envisaged. It said it would now be looking again at the possibility of renovating disused buildings on the St Ives estate.

However, when contacted by the T&A, the company declined to comment further.

Caroline, 48, who lives with her partner Stuart Graves, 54, opposite the proposed development, told the Telegraph & Argus: "It's a relief, I couldn't believe it to be honest. I have not slept since all this started. I couldn't believe that someone could put in an application like that.

"I think the little people have won. I thought it would go all the way but hopefully we have won our case. I am sure we are going to have a bit of a party!"

Mr Graves added: "ICR is making out that the premises were not big enough but I am not convinced by that explanation. I think they underestimated the strength of feeling against it. There's no doubt that the volume of opinion against the scheme has definitely swayed it."

Coun Owens, who said villagers would probably support the regeneration of disused buildings on the St Ives estate, added: "I'm delighted because it will reduce the friction in the village. I think basically the company underestimated the opposition from the villagers and quite sensibly has backed off. I think the village will heave a sigh of relief."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.