Euxton Residents Against Sand Extraction (ERASE) have fought a long and bitter campaign to stop Tarmac Ltd from carrying out a 15-year extraction project on the 168-acre site between Dawbers Lane and Runshaw Lane.

Yesterday campaigners were ecstatic when the proposal was refused by Lancashire County Council's development control committee after 10 years of constant battling.

Democratic

After the decision Geoff Ind, one of the leading members of ERASE, said: "I am very pleased. It looked very finely balanced for a while but they have made absolutely the right decision.

"I am pleased to see democracy in action."

Campaigners have argued that the proposal would have had massive health implications for the residents of Euxton and the influx of HGV lorries travelling in and out of the site would adversely affect the quality of life in the area.

After the meeting, Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle, who earlier spoke at the meeting, said it was a great victory for 'common sense.'

He said: "Congratulations to all the people of Euxton, whose lives would have been destroyed if this proposal had gone ahead. This is a great day for democracy and for the people of Euxton." Leader of Chorley Council, Coun Peter Goldsworthy, who also spoke at the meeting, said: "I am delighted.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the members of ERASE and the residents of Euxton that have fought so hard to achieve this victory – congratulations Euxton."

At yesterday's vital meeting both major political parties were united in their opposition to the proposal and last-ditch efforts to get the application refused came from across the political spectrum.

Lindsay Hoyle gave an impassioned speech drawing rapturous applause from the gallery, which included over 30 campaigners.

In his speech he said: "Given the significant increase in traffic volumes, with increased pollution and potential for accidents, combined with the loss of amenity and potential threat to the environment, I would urge members of the committee to reject this application and protect the quality of life for the people of Euxton."

County Coun Mark Perks, who is the executive member for health at Chorley Council, Wendy Gudger, development control manager at Chorley.

- originally published 29/09/06