VILLAGERS have won their fight to get plans for a turkey farm thrown out.

St Arvans protesters cheered as Monmouthshire councillors rejected the scheme, after planning chief George Ashworth said it was unacceptable to have the turkey shed built less than 20 metres from houses in Manor View.

Mr Ashworth said the council had received 159 individual letters of objection and a 258-name petition complaining the site was too close to Fordwich Close and Manor View.

They also complained about the nuisance which they say would be caused by noise and smells.

There were also objections from the Lower Wye Valley Preservation Society, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, the area's MP and AM.

Gethyn Davies, who owns the site at Fordwich Nurseries in St Arvans, wants to demolish buildings and erect a turkey rearing building in the field to hold up to 500 turkeys.

And after learning of the council's decision Mr Davies said: "The council cannot stop me. I could put 500 or 1,000 turkeys on the land if I wanted.

"The point that needs to be made is that I was there first. They (the council) gave planning permission for Fordwich Close and then Manor View knowing there was agricultural use on my land.

"The question must be asked why did they give planning permission for these houses knowing there was agricultural use there, they are at fault."

He added: "I am disappointed and I now have to consult with my agent."

Speaking at the planning meeting Roger Hopson, chairman of St Arvans community council, said: "There is considerable local feeling about this. There was a well attended public meeting and the overwhelming feeling was that this would not suit the village.

"There are elderly and disabled people and families with small children living in the area."

Councillor Verona Bamford said access and egress were also a problem because only one car could use the lane at a time.

She asked: "How would you get building materials to the site and turkeys delivered?"

Councillor Ashley Thomas said the scheme was a non-starter so "why did the applicant waste his money?"