Changes in the law could hold out hope for opponents of a 98-home development in Guiseley.

Redrow’s application for the development on Netherfield Road was turned down by Leeds City Council and is now the subject of an appeal.

The scheme has provoked opposition and warnings of its effect on roads and other services.

And the area’s three Conservative councillors are hoping that the Council’s decision will be upheld. They believe their case could be helped by a ruling in the High Court about the fact that the Regional Spatial Strategy, which dictates how many houses have to be built, was set to be abolished. Local councillors say Leeds City Council has struggled to defend its decision on the Redrow scheme because it could not show that it had met the RSS target.

The ruling means that authorities have to take the forthcoming abolition of the RSS into account in applications for large developments.

It was greeted with cautious optimism by the area’s councillors.

Coun Graham Latty said: “While we still have a long wait for a final verdict, and it is far too early to claim victory, it would seem that the recent verdict in the High Court could help our cause.”