Westdene and Withdean residents have won a battle against plans for 112 affordable homes on a private playing field off Redhill Close.

The Sussex Overseas Housing Society has withdrawn an application which was to have been considered by Brighton and Hove city councillors. But the residents may not have won the war. The land has been disused for years and is likely to be developed in some form now the Government is keen on using sites within towns for homes.

It should be possible for the residents and developers to reach some sort of compromise over this prime and prized piece of land. Perhaps the number of homes could be reduced and some space left to be used either as a playground or as a sports pitch as has happened on the former Alliance and Leicester grounds off Rowan Avenue in Hove.

If residents persist in opposing any development there, they may eventually find they are lumbered with one they like even less than the scheme which has just been shelved.