People living close to a Twerton allotment site have won their battle against plans to build new houses there.
Curo has submitted a planning application for 21 new properties on land near King George's Road.
But nearby residents believe the area cannot cope with this number of homes and have raised concerns about the traffic implications of the development.
This afternoon, Bath and North East Somerset Council's development control committee rejected the application, saying Curo was trying to squeeze too many homes on the plot.
Residents have also said the land is needed by allotment holders for recreational space and for access to the gardens.
Committee members visited the site last week.
Councillor Eleanor Jackson told the meeting: "I do not support this. Far too many houses are being crammed into far too small a space. This is overdevelopment."
During the meeting residents spoke against the proposals.
Lesley Gillard said: "This will be a blot on the landscape and the site is out of character for the area.
"We will be disturbed by a large number of people in a relatively small area."
Resident Kirsty Pristo presented a petition against the plans signed by 405 people and said: "The proposed development will have a severe impact on the lives of residents nearby."
Virginia Williamson, from BANES Allotments Association said: "This will be to the detriment of the community.
"Twerton has shown an interest in growing food.
"King George's Road is ideal for families, and provides a template on what an allotment should be."
However Craig MacDonald, from Curo said: "The site is not being used as an allotment, and nor are there any plans to due to contamination.
"We manage 22 plots of allotments and are looking at more plots.
"Curo has this opportunity to develop this site as 100 per cent affordable housing, which there is a need for."
Councillor June Player (Ind, Westmoreland) said before the meeting that although Twerton did need more affordable homes, it was not right to "shoehorn" as many as possible into a small plot of land.
She said: "Whilst there is the need for social housing it should not be to the detriment of so many others in and around the locality plus all those passing through this area to other parts of Bath and beyond.
"Traffic issues, people's health and safety, and quality of life for all have to be taken in to account. There has to be a balance in matters such as this."
The proposal for ten two-bedroom apartments, eight two-bedroom houses and three three-bedroom houses had been recommended for approval by a B&NES Council planning officer.
But Sue Pristo, who lives in King George's Road, said a previous application for the site was turned down because of access and a detrimental impact on wildlife, and that those reasons still stood.
She said: "The area is already overcrowded due to developments in recent years.
"Safety is an increasing issue as lots of school children cross the area proposed to obtain access via the Linear Park and walk to school, as well as many members of the public walking to Twerton High Street and Moorland Road.
"The access during construction and the traffic levels after completion is a danger to particularly vulnerable members of the local community."
