VILLAGERS are celebrating after winning their battle against plans to dump thousands of tonnes of waste at a former quarry.

Members of Staffordshire County Council's planning committee overwhelmingly rejected the application for Huntley Wood Quarry, near Cheadle, after seeing the "beauty of the site" themselves.

Construction firm Spectre Developments said it needed to import 360,000 cubic metres of inert waste to level the area to create an 18-hole golf course.

But yesterday, the council's planning committee threw out the bid after hearing residents' fears that the applicant was using the golf course plans as an excuse to dump the waste.

Huntley resident Ray Hutchins was among residents and councillors who spoke in opposition to the application.

He told the meeting: "The road is only 15ft wide and could not take 80 lorries a day. It is a green lung between Manchester and Birmingham. I have spoken to thousands of people in the locality and they are all against it.

"All it needs to make a golf course is a bit of top soil, not inert waste, which could contain things like asbestos. It is frightening, absolutely frightening.

"I fear it is just a scam to dispose of waste and make a lot of money."

Staffordshire Moorlands district councillor Mark Deaville said: "I have no objections to the very ambitious plans for the golf course, but there are many reasons for the application for landfill to be refused, including road safety. There is overwhelming opposition to this.

"I believe the objections outweigh the benefits. It is wholly unnecessary."

County councillor Mike Maryon, who represents the Cheadle and Draycott areas, warned that villagers were facing two other major developments; a proposed power station at Cresswell and an industrial estate near Draycott. The projects, as well as the golf course, are scheduled for completion over the same time span.

He said after the meeting: "This a great decision by the committee and a victory for the local residents who have campaigned hard against this. I have personally felt that the green belt that borders Stoke-on-Trent at Draycott was being violated by too much urban construction work spilling over the boundary."

Councillor Ray Easton said: "I am really glad that I called for a site visit. It really was an eye opener. What a beautiful place."

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval.

It would have involved transporting building waste from within a 25-mile radius.

Spectre managing director Oliver Speight told the meeting: "This is not a quick scam. We have worked very hard on traffic and environmental issues and to ensure the quality of waste is fully met. We believe this can be of local benefit."

He said after the meeting that he had not yet decided whether to lodge an appeal.

He said: "It was the voice of the people. We need some time for reflection."

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