RESIDENTS fighting a housing plan, tabled a 22-point protest to win the first round of their campaign.

Twenty nearby residents opposing the scheme to build two semi-detached homes near a former pear orchard turned up at a Harrogate borough planning meeting in Knaresborough.

Planning officer Richard Forrester recommended approval of the controversial project for High Bond End, Knaresborough, but councillors voted unanimously to reject it.

Because they voted against planners' advice, members of the area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council must now re-run the application at its meeting next month.

Knaresborough Town Council also objected to the scheme.

The site is alongside an extensive walled garden, served by a one-way circular traffic access.

At present, there are two stone-built three-storey homes in the area. The application calls for a pair of similar three-bedroomed semis to be built.

But residents say High Bond End is too narrow and dangerous, with small footpaths. There was also additional danger from traffic at access points and no safe route to shops or amenities.

Highway chiefs did not raise any objections to the scheme.

Mr Forrester, the planning officer, said that while accommodation would be included in the roofspace, no significant overlooking would occur because of a belt of existing trees and the distance between homes.

He added: "This proposal is a modest one, which provides family accommodation in a manner that complies with local plan policy without harming neighbours' amenity."