JUBILANT residents are celebrating after a developer abandoned plans to build 326 homes on green belt land.

Colonnade Land has pulled out of its bid to concrete over Coombes Farm, Rochford, following a two-year battle with neighbours and councillors.

The decision has been met with joy by campaigners who fought to keep the fields clear.

James Bowker, leader of campaign group Residents Against Coombes Farm Expansion, said: “I’m very pleased and relieved.

“It has been a long battle, so it’s good to know that, in theory, that is the end of it.

“I have some worries the matter is still technically being left open, which could give them a chance to submit another bid, but I am hopeful that is the last we will see of it.”

Plans to build on the Coombes Farm site, which lies between Stambridge Road, Rocheway and Mill Lane, were first pitched by Colonnade in April 2009.

Following a sustained campaign from residents, Rochford Council threw out the bid in November of that year and its judgment was backed by planning inspector Christine Thorby after a public inquiry in April last year.

The bid was subsequently thrown into controversy when Communities Secretary Eric Pickles described Colonnade’s proposals as an example of why he wanted to scrap Labour’s unpopular Regional Spatial Strategies.

A legal challenge in the High Court subsequently ruled Mr Pickles’s ad hoc abolition of the strategies illegal, casting a shadow over the Coombes Farm verdict.

The blunder meant the application was referred back to the Government – and Mr Pickles in his role as communities secretary – for a final decision.

That would have been due later this year if Colonnade had not withdrawn its plans.

It is not known why the company chose to abandon the scheme.

Keith Hudson, the Tory councillor responsible for planning, said: “It is very, very good news. Hopefully they have seen the writing is on the wall with the Localism Bill at long last. Let’s hope they do not waste anymore taxpayers’ money on this.”