PLANS for a new pumping station to alleviate flooding at Kingswood have been thrown out by councillors.
Residents have campaigned against Yorkshire Water's proposals to replace its existing pumping station off Selset Way in Kingswood with a new facility.
Those living nearby argued the scheme would have wiped thousands of pounds off the value of their properties.
They say the new building would have towered over their homes, as it is three times larger than the existing station.
But still, campaigners admitted they expected the plans to be granted during a Hull City Council planning meeting this week.
Much to their surprise, councillors rejected the scheme, with many claiming an alternative location should be found.
Pauline Cochran, who lives close to the proposed site, said: "I am overwhelmed. I didn't expect this decision. We were told granting the scheme was pretty much a foregone conclusion.
"Yorkshire Water never informed residents and hoped it would just sneak through. We only found out by accident."
Mrs Cochran insists there is no opposition to the scheme, only its location.
She said: "We have no objection to the pumping station being built but not where they want it.
"We accept there was a pumping station here when we moved in but we were told it would be demolished and this new building will be astronomical.
"I don't want Bransholme to flood but I can't see why they can't put the station on the other side, near to the cinema and bowling alley.
"We've been told if the pumping station is built where Yorkshire Water wants it then we will lose 20 per cent of the value of our homes."
Fellow resident Joseph Noir said: "This is an unbelievable victory for the small man.
"We are only asking Yorkshire Water to move the station to the other side of the lagoon.
"We believe the decision by Yorkshire Water is about saving money.
"But we are now bracing ourselves for an appeal by Yorkshire Water."
The planning committee previously delayed any decision and asked Yorkshire Water to consider alternative locations.
Stephanie Walden, planning manager at Yorkshire Water, confirmed the company was considering an appeal.
She said: "We are very disappointed with the decision and we will consider whether to appeal.
"It was a very close decision and it was recommended for approval.
"We had a very positive response during a pre-application meeting with the council."
One of the main reasons for building the pumping station on the proposed site is to use the existing discharge outlets.
Yorkshire Water insists changing locations could delay its plans for years in order to thrash out a new legal agreement over discharge into the River Hull.
Mrs Walden said: "This is a very complex engineering scenario and we are talking years to sort it out between ourselves, the council and the Environment Agency.
"We are very constrained by what we can do in the area."
At this week's meeting, Councillor Alan Clark moved to refuse the application.
He said: "It's in the wrong place. When does it stop being about money and doing what is right?
"It's more appropriate to put it near the cinema rather than homes."
While other councillors felt it was important to address flooding issues in Bransholme and Kingswood, many agreed another location should be found.
