Hundreds of residents, some of them pictured, were celebrating today after winning their fight to stop a massive distribution depot being built on open fields near their home.

Princes Soft Drinks has dropped its plans to build the complex in a new business park at Cross Lane. It would have brought 800 jobs to the district.

No comment was available today from the firm, Britain's third biggest soft drinks company, which already has a major factory in Toftshaw Lane. But the Telegraph & Argus understands that it is looking at another site in Bradford.

Families living in Cross Lane off the A650 Drighlington bypass said they were overjoyed that "people power" had won the day.

Deputy Prime Minster John Prescott called a public inquiry because of the strength of feeling and the fact that the land is in the area where the Battle of Adwalton was fought in the Civil War.

The inquiry was scheduled for eight days from May 18, but residents were told by the Council yesterday that the company was withdrawing.

The Council received more than 600 individual letters of objection to the scheme - the second-biggest number ever to be submitted over a single planning application.

Families with placards protested on the site and attended meetings in City Hall to try to prevent the Council giving the complex the go-ahead.

They said the depot would overshadow the whole area and be similar in size to Lister's Mill chimney.

Kirklees Council also objected because of the impact the development would have on adjoining greenbelt.

The residents told the Council their lives would become a nightmare of noise and disturbance.

But today Council leader councillor Ian Greenwood revealed their fight to save the fields was not yet over.

He said: "I would like to assure people that we are now taking immediate steps to ensure we find an alternative development for this important strategic fight to ensure that more jobs are created in the area as soon as possible."

Councillor Greenwood said the Council would seek an early meeting with English Heritage to discuss the issues.

He said he understood the reason for Princes withdrawal from the Cross Lane site but was pleased the company was trying to find alternative sites for its expansion within the district.

"The firm is a long-established and successful one which provides substantial employment. The Council will make every effort to support their future plans."

But Ray Crorken, of Cross Lane - a leader of the protest - said they would press to get it designated as greenbelt. He said: "I think the company heard the voice of local people and we are very pleased with the result. We hope the Council will consult with us fully about any further planning brief for this land. We feel there has not always been the best consultation in the past."

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