A GROUP of pensioners cracked open the champagne after winning a battle to stop the bulldozers moving in on their homes.

Residents in Burnetts Fields and Burnetts Gardens clapped and cheered last night as councillors voted out plans to demolish five bungalows to make way for new flats.

Eastleigh Housing Association had applied to build ten two-bedroom homes on the site currently occupied by pensioners.

Members of the Fair Oak and Horton Heath Local Area Committee had postponed making a decision when one resident, Pam Squires, led a peaceful banner protest at an earlier meeting.

Mrs Squires, 70, who had vowed she would stand in the way of bulldozers to keep her home, emotionally hugged friends following the victory.

Drinking Pelletier Brut champagne she said: "I'm happy with the result.

"I don't think any citizen should be treated the way we have. There's been no consultation."

But she was also concerned the housing association could appeal the decision adding: "It's a victory but only until they try and appeal."

Crowds of residents had protested on the pensioners' behalf during the special viewing committee meeting onsite in Burrells Gardens.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I can't believe a social landlord can be treating elderly people in this way."

Steve Lynch, business and development manager for EHA, said none of the pensioners would be forced to leave their homes.

He said: "I'm saying you can stay as long as you want."

But Philip Spearey, chairman of Fair Oak and Horton Heath Local Area Committee, said: "I don't think that's feasible."

He thought leaving residents like Mrs Squires in her home while demolishing empty bungalows and garages around her would leave her living in a "building site".

He backed calls from Sue Toher for council representatives to meet up with EHA to develop a full understanding of the company's housing policies.

Councillor Toher said: "I think it behoves us to have as much information as possible for the benefit of the residents."

The councillors rejected the planning application on the basis that the design contained too many flats and not enough parking spaces.