Residents in Barrhead are celebrating after being told housing developers will not take the fight to build 50 homes on greenbelt land to appeal.

Earlier this year, planning permission for the proposed development on the Fereneze Braes was rejected by East Renfrewshire Council after a campaign was mounted by community leaders and politicians.

The applicant, Gladman Developments, could have decided to appeal that decision and take the fight to Scottish Ministers.

However, it has now been confirmed that the firm did not meet the deadline for lodging an appeal.

Residents who claimed the development would cause “misery” as a result of increases in traffic and noise have welcomed the news as a victory for people power.

Campaigner Kirsty Menzies told the Barrhead News: “It is such a relief. I am sure the strength of opposition from the local community, councillors, MSP and MP, press coverage and our arguments against the development showed Gladman they would have a real battle on their hands if they were to take it further.

“I suspect, based on the site’s history, that developers will try again and we will have to suffer the whole process in a few years’ time if another planning application is submitted. In the meantime, I shall continue to record the wildlife there and encourage the council to designate it as local biodiversity site.”

Gladman’s plans for the Fereneze Braes attracted 170 objections, with more than 500 people signing a petition which called for the proposals to be booted into touch.

This is the second time in less than a decade that residents have fought potential housing developments on the site.

In 2010, the plot was identified by Scottish Government-appointed reporters as a potential housing site for 40 units.

East Renfrewshire Council had disagreed with that assessment and the reporters subsequently removed it as a housing opportunity.

Politicians who backed the campaign to halt the plans have welcomed the fact no appeal has been lodged and have made a commitment to preserve the thriving wildlife and plant species at the site.

Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur said: “I’m delighted the Fereneze Braes have been saved. This area means a great deal to the town and to me personally.

“I want to pay tribute to the community-led Save Fereneze Campaign, whose tireless work has made this successful outcome possible. I look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure the braes are there for the enjoyment of generations to come.”

Gladman Developments was unavailable for comment.