PROTESTERS in St Albans have won their battle to stop more than three million tons of gravel being extracted from land at Oaklands College, writes Steve Murray.

Jubilant residents are claiming a victory for "people power" after St Albans Sand and Gravel's plans to remove minerals from the site in Hatfield Road over the next nine years were thrown out at County Hall yesterday (Tuesday).

Members of the environment cases sub-committee united in condemning the extraction company's plans after receiving two petitions from residents fighting the proposals.

Ian Turner, chairman of Jersey Farm Residents' Association, outlined nine reasons why the plans should be rejected, including destruction of Green Belt land, traffic problems, noise and pollution.

He told the committee: "Fifty years of sand and gravel extraction has already taken place in the area around Oaklands, but there have been accusations that our opposition to this scheme has been 'nimbyism' - not in my back yard.

"They have been digging up the backyard for 50 years and are now moving on to the front lawn."

The plans would have seen cash-strapped Oaklands College receive money to provide improved educational facilities in Hertfordshire. While councillors sympathised with this, they unanimously agreed the plans were unacceptable.

Councillor Brian York said: "I am sympathetic with what Oaklands is trying to do, but the gains do not outweigh the planning issues. This area is not in the draft local minerals plan and there are no planning reasons to grant the application."

Councillor Rosie Sanderson said: "I was shocked when this came in because I have never seen an application for gravel extraction that is so close to so many residential properties.

"The effect this would have on these properties can only be imagined and I do not see why residents living nearby should suffer so the college can continue to operate."

After the meeting, Malcolm Hughes, chairman of Smallford Residents' Assocation, expressed delight at the committee's decision.

He said: "It's fantastic, I could not have hoped for a better result. It is a real victory for residents' good sense and the meaning of the Green Belt.

"It proves we can win these battles if we are all prepared to come together and fight.

"The power of big business cannot overwhelm the wishes of residents and I want to thank all those who wrote letters, our legal advisors and our steering group for helping us achieve this absolutely great victory."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.