Campaigners have welcomed a decision to withdraw a planning application for gravel extraction next to the village of Barton in Fabis after residents raised concerns over the 'horrendous' plan.
The plans for a huge quarry, they claim, would have seen the local area plagued by noise and dust, as well as massively impacting migratory birds and local wildlife.
A huge campaign of opposition from residents and wildlife campaigners had seen more than a thousand objections submitted to Nottinghamshire County Council’s planning portal.
Previously, residents have described the plans for fields off the A453 are 'horrendous'.
The plan was also opposed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust who run Attenborough Nature Reserve.
Although this version of the application has been scrapped, the applicant has said they intend to submit a new application next year.
Julian Coles, who is a member of Barton in Fabis Parish Council and the SAVE campaign group welcomed the decision, saying: "This is the wrong place to put a gravel pit. It's so close to our village, Larkhill Retirement Village and Attenborough Nature reserve.
"We have been working with Ruth Edwards our local MP, Councillors Rex Walker and Matt Barney, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Lilian Greenwood MP, and other groups to oppose this application.
"It's great to see it gone after 8 years.
"Obviously this isn't the end of our fight, but this is a good day for the residents of Larkhill Retirement Village, the wildlife of Attenborough Nature Reserve and the communities of Clifton, Clifton Village, Barton in Fabis, Gotham and Thrumpton.
"It’s been eight years of hard work and whilst we know this isn’t the end of the campaign, it is perhaps the end of the beginning."
Ruth Edwards, MP for Rushcliffe, added: “I am delighted to see this application withdrawn. It was nowhere near good enough for such a sensitive location.
"The Government has hugely strengthened environmental protections and is committed to ensuring that all planning protects and enhances our environment.
"This application took no account of that emerging policy and ignored the impact which this gravel extraction would have on the Attenborough nature reserve. It was also largely silent on plans for restoring the site.
"With more than 100 problems with the proposals, it is absolutely right that it has been withdrawn.
"I would like to congratulate all the residents for their hard work over many years."
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said: "Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has been fighting to protect wildlife from the threat of a huge sand and gravel quarry at Barton in Fabis, directly across the River Trent from our much loved Attenborough Nature Reserve for almost a decade. We, therefore, welcome news that the application has been withdrawn, but remain committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with local campaigners to protect the area’s wildlife."
Chairman of the county council’s Planning and Rights of Way Committee, Cllr Richard Butler, added: “We can confirm that the applicant has withdrawn its planning application for sand and gravel extraction on land at Barton-in-Fabis.
“We are now in the process of informing residents who have requested to be notified of any decision regarding the application, along with borough and parish councils.
“The applicant has already stated in correspondence to us of their intention to resubmit an application in due course.
“We are aware of the considerable public interest caused by this particular case and if a fresh application is submitted our committee will carefully consider it from all aspects."
What is happening where you live? Find out by adding your postcode or visit InYourArea
