Campaigners are celebrating after the owner of a village green withdrew controversial plans for a housing development.

Residents in Gissing, near Diss, had been fighting a proposal for two homes in the heart of the village in Lower Street.

However, the scheme was withdrawn by Stan Rainbird, of Ockendon, in Essex, before it could be determined by a South Norfolk Council planning committee.

Campaigners are continuing to fundraise to make an offer to the owner to buy the green space between the church, pub and Victorian school building.

Jim Philip, chairman of the parish council, said it was good news that the immediate threat to the land had gone away and it was pleasing that district council officers had recommended the plans for refusal because of the impact of the historic buildings in Gissing.

A scheme for a large home on the land was approved in 1974/75, but only the footings of the building were constructed.

Mr Philip added that pledges by the parish council and local residents had amounted to �25,000 to buy the land and register it as a village green.

'This is our generation's contribution to the historic core of the village and it is our job to secure this green,' he said.