The East Riding of Yorkshire Council Western Area Planning Committee refused Westbridge Homes Limited's development planned for a field east of the Clayton's Fold development, on grounds of overdevelopment, and loss of ground which allows water to drain away slowly; and surface water disposal.

Gilberdyke Parish Councillor Paul Robinson said: "The committee's decision was a victory for common sense and showed Gilberdyke residents concerns have been listened to."

But he explained that the issue of whether the proposed land is a 'greenfield' meadow or a previously used 'brownfield' site remained.

"It did seem that the applicant was at odds with opinions of long-standing residents of Gilberdyke who contacted me and provided the photographs that contradicted the case put forward for designation of a 'brownfield' site," explained Paul.

"The committee agreed with me that the two important issues that should be considered were foul and surface water drainage, and whether the existing village infrastructure could cope with additional housing."

Paul who is also an East Riding councillor for Howdenshire revealed also his shock at the consultation comments from Yorkshire Water 'who appeared to be unaware that 56 houses were flooded in Gilberdyke during last June's flooding'.

He added: "I asked the committee to consider the location and the proximity to Hansard Crescent, which was just spared the flooding experienced last year, as this greenfield was able to absorb the run off from Clayton's Fold, and more importantly from Hansard.

"What would be the impact on Hansard Crescent if this field were concreted over with houses built with higher floor levels because of the flood risk?"

The increase in housing that Gilberdyke has recently witnessed was also raised, after it was revealed that 111 houses had been completed in the last four years, 30 more started and 18 more still to commence.

Paul believed that this would mean a total of 151 houses with no investment in village infrastructure or services.

It was also established that when the Parish Council consulted the community, 460 residents from over 350 households responded saying they did not want to see any further significant housing or industrial development until there was investment in village infrastructure.

Only seven people had the opposing view.