STUNNED Gwent villagers are today preparing to fight plans for a massive development - for the second time.

Crumlin residents thought they had defeated plans for a sand and gravel store in the village last November.

But in a shock move, Lafarge Aggregates, the company behind the scheme is lodging an 11th hour appeal against Caerphilly planners' rejection of the sand and gravel store. Locals say the Navigation Colliery plan will destroy their village.

Resident Helen Williams said: "We could hardly believe it when we found out that they are going to appeal.

"We thought all this was behind us now. Now it is panic stations again. This would be really bad news for Crumlin."

Just days before the six-month period when Lafarge could appeal expired, the firm lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate at the National Assembly, council planning officers confirmed yesterday. Campaign-ers say the scheme will damage local businesses and increase traffic dust and noise levels.

Lafarge says the site is ideal as the planned Ebbw Vale to Newport rail line and station proposed for the village would allow loading aggregate on to rail freight containers for transfer twice a week.

Last year, hundreds of locals staged protests and signed petitions against the scheme. which would have seen around 400 tonnes of stone delivered daily by road, from the Hafod Fach Quarry.

Lafarge Aggregates were refused permission for scheme by Caerphilly council last November although officers had recommended allowing it to go ahead.

Crumlin councillor Keith Lloyd said: "We thought the six months was nearly up and that would be the end of the matter. As soon as we heard the news we reformed the community action group that we set up last year and we will fight on.

"We have already put in quite a number of letters from individual residents and there is another petition going around the village."

It is expected that the appeal will be heard in the next three months. Lafarge Aggregates refused to comment.

PICTURED: Crumlin residents demonstrating before a planning meeting In September 2002.