Campaigners have won an unexpected victory in their bid to stop plans for 112 new homes.

People living around Redhill Close in Westdene, Brighton, were gearing up for a long battle as their fought against the new estate.

They set up a residents association, which in three weeks held two packed public meetings, put together a detailed 32-page report and prepared plans to march on the town hall.

But yesterday, without warning, the developers, Sussex Overseas Housing Association, quietly withdrew the scheme.

Members of the Westdene and Withdean Community Association last night reacted with relief but were suspicious of the building firm's real motives.

Michael Whitty, chairman of the association, said there were still concerns for the future of the plot, used as a playing field for 50 years but now blocked off and marked private.

Mr Whitty said: "Our first feeling was elation but now we have thought about it we realise the developers were obviously very concerned about the swell of public support.

"They could resubmit their application, which is worrying because we have rather shown our hand to an extent.

"This is still a great victory because we wrong-footed the developers and they did not expect this sort of action.

"We will continue to keep fighting and some of our future plans could be huge."

People living near the site of the proposed new estate of 112 homes were concerned about the impact dozens of new families would have on their already overstretched schools and GPs, as well as the extra traffic they would create.

At their most recent get-together, residents agreed to march to Brighton and Hove City Council's planning meeting and voice their concerns from the public gallery.

Ann Norman, Withdean ward councillor, supported the residents in their fight and paid tribute to their spirit of togetherness.

She said: "This is a very good example of how a contentious issue can draw the whole community together and get things done."

A previous scheme for 45 executive homes on the spot was also dropped after a major protest.

An appeal by the developers of the first scheme was rejected by the Home Office, which said the plans did not justify tearing up a greenfield site.

Solicitor Tony Allen, of DMH Planning, said on behalf of site owner Braybon Holdings: "We have withdrawn the application to make some changes in the layout. It will be resubmitted shortly."