NEWS that Tyttenhanger Green and Sleapshyde have been recommended for removal from the shortlist of gravel extraction sites has been hailed as a small victory by residents.

The final decision on the list was deferred at a meeting on Thursday, June 20, until the Hertfordshire Minerals Local Panel meets on Friday, July 5. But a recommendation by council environment officers to remove the two sites has encouraged the combined residents' associations of Tyttenhanger Green and Highfield Hall who have been battling to save the area.

One of the campaign organisers, Mr Lachlan Wilson, said: "We are thrilled with the recommendation but we will not begin celebrating until we ensure that Tyttenhanger is no longer being considered."

The decision was deferred on Thursday pending the completion of an independent consultant's report.

Mr Wilson said: "Our stance has always been that Tyttenhanger is entirely unsuitable for gravel extraction because of the massive detrimental impact which it would have on the surrounding area.

"Every few years we have to endure this same uncertainty. We want to reach the stage where our area will never appear on a similar shortlist."

The list under consideration by the panel at Thursday's meeting consisted of 21 sites in the country of which five will be approved to extract between 17 and 21 million tonnes of gravel.

Some of the strongest arguments against a project of this kind in Tyttenhanger Green are that it would completely surround the village and dust and noise pollution will threaten the health of pupils from nearby Francis Bacon, and Nicholas Breakspear secondary schools as well as many local primary schools.

There are also concerns regarding extra traffic and large lorries along the country roads as well as increased risk of flooding.

St Albans MP Kerry Pollard lent his backing to the campaign after describing the proposals as "monstrous". He wrote condemning the project to Environment Minister Michael Meacher earlier this month.

Sites at British Aerospace near Hatfield and near Rickneys Quarry north of Hertford are still being considered to be put forward as possible sites to extract regional requirements of gravel up to 2016. Coursers Road, London Colney, has been identified as a site that may be used for extraction after 2016.

June 25, 2002 14:00