A BID to earmark a large garden for housing development has been unanimously rejected by councillors.

The outline application by Mrs J Ryan for the garden at Primrose House, Primrose Drive, Ripon, was recommended for refusal by planning officer Mark Williams.

Members of an area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council supported his contention that housing development would seriously detract from the residential amenity of nearby homes.

The application sparked protests from Harrogate Civic Society and 15 letters of objection from residents were tabled at the meeting.