RESIDENTS are celebrating after road sale plans were rejected.

Highfield Road in Hampton inhabitants were shocked to hear that an application to buy the road had been made by a property investment company.

Residents had believed that the road was owned by the county council before the application, but it was found that it was in the possession of the Crown Estate.

The 45 households have now been told that the road will not be purchased however, following a number of objections.

A Crown Estate spokesman told residents: "As you are already aware, we have been corresponding with Brighton Capital Partners Limited regarding the purchase of land at Highfield

Road and land lying to the north and east of Malinshill Road, Evesham.

"However, having reviewed the matter fully and being inundated with numerous objections over the past few weeks, we have now arrived at a decision and have informed Brighton Capital Partners Limited that they are not an appropriate purchaser in the circumstances and as a result The Crown Estate will not be disposing of the land in question to them."

Resident Jim Griffiths, who informed the Journal of the battle over the future of the road said: "All I can say is that we are all very,very pleased with the Crown Estate's decision.

"We just hope now that the Worcestershire County Council will do their bit and obtain ownership of the road,footpaths and verges which they have been maintaining for the 54 years since the development was complete.

"It's a very friendly neighbourhood with a tremendous community spirit which comes to the fore in cases like this where our way of life is threatened."