Grantham residents opposing plans for affordable housing on the site of the former Blessed Hugh More School appear to have won their battle- at least for now.

Over the summer, South Kesteven District Council began consulting on a scheme to erect 65 homes on the 2.8ha site off Tennyson Avenue, as previously reported by Nub News.

Many nearby residents opposed the scheme, saying it was a valuable piece of open space used for recreation. They also said a covenant protects the site from housing development.

At a recent council meeting, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Coun Robert Reid briefly said the council was currently not progressing with the scheme and SKDC had other housing projects it could deliver more quickly.

Coun Reid confirmed in a statement to Nub News this week: "SKDC's proposal to develop the Blessed High More site as part of our social housing provision is not currently being progressed as it is subject to a covenant which requires LCC permission ahead of any development."

He added: "We are actively moving forward with 90 new homes across four sites during 2021-2 as we strive to provide social housing for the people who need it most in South Kesteven."

His comments follow the council recently shelving plans for town houses in the Watergate car park, while pushing ahead with a scheme for flats at nearby Swinegate, as previously reported by Nub News.

Resident and campaigner Elvis Stooke told Nub News he was 'over the moon' at the council decision not to push ahead with the housing plans for the school site.

He added: "It was a hard and long campaign. I would like to thank everyone that was involved with me from the start and the parish council and the local community who stood up and said 'no'."