DELIGHTED campaigners used people power to stop developers building on land at Beacon Hill which they say is a haven for wildlife.

Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee voted on Monday against the five-home development.

Planning officers had recommended the project be approved but after protesters made a stand during a site visit by the committee last Thursday it was overruled.

Members had been met by placard-waving residents who had also sent a 450-name petition to the authority.

At the meeting Cllr David Hancox (Con, Uffdown and Waseley) said the plan showed homes would be built behind existing properties, overdeveloping the site and creating an 'eyesore.'

He was concerned one of Rubery's last green areas which attracts wildlife would be lost. Cllr Hancox pointed out traffic calming measures in the plans would lead to a pavement being widened.

He said: "Traffic will be forced to slow down by this protrusion and some cars couldn't get up the hill in slippery conditions." Cllr David McGrath (Lab, Beacon) agreed the plans would lead to an environmental catastrophe.

Campaign leader Val Henderson was delighted with the news and vowed to fight on if an appeal were lodged.Developers Carlton Developments Midlands Ltd refused to comment.