A "disastrous" plan to turn Green Belt land into a quarry has been rejected, sparking delight amongst residents.

Plans to extract minerals and process sand and gravel on land at Pynesfield, off Tilehouse Lane, Maple Cross, were unanimously thrown out by Hertfordshire County Council’s development control committee in January. 

But the applicant, Harleyford Aggregates Limited, appealed this decision and dozens of residents packed into Three Rivers District Council on Wednesday, September 24 as the planning inspector, Jonathan King, heard representations from both sides.

The plans were rejected because of concerns over the effect that the proposals would have on the groundwater and the planning inspector ruled the quarry would be an "inappropriate development".

Mike Fosberry, of Tilehouse Lane said: "I am absolutely delighted.

"I have to say, after the appeal hearing and in the immediate aftermath, I thought our chances were slim.

"But the inspector looked very closely at all of the representations and I think he has made a very sound decision, which the community will be celebrating.

"The phone has been red hot, emails have been pinging round the community. I am sure most of West Hyde, if not Maple Cross, have heard about the decision and I think everyone is estatic.

Representations made by the Environment Agency expressed concern over the potential contamination of ground water as representatives from both sides clashed over the possible effect of digging up an old canal.

Jonathon King, planning inspector said: "I believe that the potential exists for groundwater to be polluted or contaminated by any of the routes identified by the Environment Agency.

"The greatest risk would appear to come from the disturbance of the pre-existing waste within the channel and any associated excavation of sand and gravel.

"There is clear evidence that the waste contains potentially-polluting material, but no analysis has been made available of its composition.

"Moreover, there is no evidence that any potential for contimination has been dissipated over time. In the absence of such information I am unable to reach an informed conclusion as to the level of risk that would be posed or the severity of the impact resulting from disturbance."

At the appeal hearing, residents in Old Uxbridge Road and Tilehouse Lane expressed concerns over the increased level of traffic and fears over flooding if the controversial plans were passed.

Councillor Ann Shaw, leader of Three Rivers District Council said: "The dismissal of the appeal against the refusal of the Pynesfield gravel extraction application in West Hyde is fantastic news.

"The impact on the environment would have been disastrous.

"The Inspector decided the risk of ground water contamination and pollution was too serious and he also recognised, unlike the Highways Authority, that the concerns of local residents about highways problems, including road safety, were justified. I congratulate all those local residents who put time and energy into pressing for the dismissal."