CAMPAIGNERS in Uttoxeter have won a year-long battle to stop a mini-housing estate being built near their homes.

East Staffordshire Borough Council's planning committee rejected a scheme to erect eight homes at number 73, Stone Road.

After a site visit councillors claimed it would ruin the "street scene".

The refusal has been met with delight by families, who feared the development would exacerbate traffic problems on the busy commuter route – where a 43-year-old cyclist was killed earlier this year.

They are now waiting to see whether an appeal is lodged against the decision.

Conservationist Fred Hopwood – who spoke against the plans at Monday's meeting at Burton Town Hall – collected hundreds of signatures for his Reclaim Stone Road and Save a Child's Life petition.

The 60-year-old musician, who lives in nearby Colne Mount, said: "There may be an appeal in due course, but for the moment we are really pleased if not elated.

"I would like to thank everyone for their support.

"It is rewarding to think that common sense can prevail in these challenging times."

Fellow campaigner Michala Naughton, also of Colne Mount, was pleased a mature garden would now not be bulldozed. The 34-year-old added: "While they did not reject it on highways grounds, it was pleasing they recognised that this stretch of road does not need another obstacle in the form of access to another undesirable housing estate, which is fantastic news for the safety of our future generations."

The scheme was for four terraced houses fronting onto Stone Road and the same number of detached properties to the rear of the one acre plot. The bungalow currently on the site would have been levelled.

Campaigners are now pressing councillors to improve the safety of Stone Road. The Post & Times revealed last month that a raised platform and pedestrian crossing are two ideas being investigated.

Chris Whitehouse, who lives on Colne Mount, said: "The dangers are obvious. What they are planning to do is not before time. We need more traffic calming and possibly a weight restriction."