A CONTROVERSIAL plan to open one of Europe's largest landfill sites at Dargate, between Whitstable and Faversham, has been refused.

Campaigners have been fighting Cleanaway's proposal for Lamberhurst Farm, since 1996.

Residents and environmental campaigners formed pressure group STOP to oppose the plan.

They have now received the long-awaited letter announcing the Minister's verdict to refuse the scheme.

STOP chairman John Bishop said campaigners felt vindicated by the decision. "We are absolutely delighted," he said. "The main reason for being so glad is this decision removes the uncertainty and property blight for all those living adjacent to the site, as well as the health risk to the community as a whole."

"The situation around landfills is becoming more controversial all the time, and the recent report in the British Medical Journal about the risks to unborn children would have made it very difficult for the Government to grant consent in Dargate."

The reasons for the Minister's decision were set out in the letter. It said the scheme did not comply with the Kent Waste Local Plan policy, stating that the effects of the process should not last more than one generation, and that landfill is the least desirable option in the Sustainable Development and Waste hierarchy. Reducing the amount of waste, and creating energy from waste are preferred.

A public inquiry began in March 1998, and finally concluded in February 1999, when a planning inspector prepared a report for Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.