A VILLAGE rejoiced last night after a controversial planning application on an historic colliery site was rejected by the local authority.

The planning committee of Caerphilly council threw out an application to establish an aggregate store on the site of the Navigation Colliery at Crumlin.

The proposal, lodged by Lafarge Aggregates, would have seen around 400 tonnes of stone delivered daily to the site by road from the Hafod Fach Quarry.

This aggregate would then be loaded and moved twice a week on to trains at the Navigation colliery site.

Councillor Noel Turner was supported by a clear majority of the planning committee when he moved a motion to reject the application on the grounds that it would jeopardise the future of local businesses, have an adverse impact on tourism and increase traffic, dust and noise levels.

Ross Halley from Lafarge told the committee that it was going to be a simple operation that would be monitored closely.

He added: "The company operates over 200 operations of this kind and the issues of noise and traffic are dealt with on a daily basis."

Over the past few months, scores of residents from Crumlin had joined ranks to oppose the plans by collecting two petitions and organising a protest during a site meeting in September.

Neighbouring Blaenau Gwent council had also lodged an objection to the scheme on the basis that it would it would hinder the impending rail-link for the Valleys.

Local people who sat in the public gallery of the council offices in Tredomen could barely hide their joy after the vote had been cast.

Terence Blanche, of Crown Street, Crumlin, said last night: "We are very pleased at happened here tonight. Had they approved it, the council would have had one hell of a fight on their hands."

Diane Parker, also of Crown Street, said: "This scheme would have killed Crumlin so we are all ecstatic." Crumlin councillor Keith Lloyd said: "The decision taken was a decision for common sense and it gives the community hope for the future. I hope we have seen the last of this type of application."