RESIDENTS who feared a new housing development would obscure their view of York Minster were celebrating today after the plans were thrown out.

A 230-signature petition had been raised opposing the plans and dozens of concerned homeowners packed yesterday's City of York Council planning committee meeting to hear the proposals come up against stiff opposition.

Housebuilders Barratt had originally applied for permission to build low-level housing in St Paul's Green, off Holgate Road, but then later revised their plans to include a three-storey block of flats.

Residents of Railway Terrace, which is adjacent to the site, feared the flats would block out their views of the Minster and the railway station, block out natural light and send property prices tumbling. But councillors voted unanimously against the plans after hearing local peoples' complaints. John Penny, of Railway Terrace, said after the meeting that he was delighted by the council's decision.

He said: "There was very strong opposition to these plans so we are over the moon.

"If Barratt had just stuck to their original plans, we would have had no objections."

Mr Penny was among a party of Railway Terrace residents who carried out a protest at the proposed site during a visit by council officials on Monday.

His neighbour, Glenys Seamark, said: "This is brilliant news. We doubted it would go our way because Barratt hold a lot of sway in these matters."

Members agreed that the development would "cause the loss of a public view".

Coun Quentin Macdonald said: "I'm not against using this site for housing but it does seem that something would be lost here."

A spokesman for Barratt York said: "Our application was to make a better use of land, in accordance with Government guidelines.

"It had the full support of planning officers, who recommended it for approval.

"We are now considering our position regarding an appeal."

A proposal by Persimmon Homes to build 24 two-bedroom flats on the site of the former Forestry Commission offices in Grosvenor Terrace, off Bootham, York, was given the go-ahead at yesterday's meeting.

But plans by the building firm to construct homes on the former site of Grandways supermarket in Haxby were put on ice.