Lorry ban victory for campaigners (From Stroud News and Journal)

Lorry ban victory for campaigners

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop more HGVs using the former MOD site at Aston Down this week claimed a crucial victory to protect their rural idyll.

Nearby residents have applauded a decision to deny Skinner Groundworks the use of a 7.5-ton lorry - a move locals have heralded as setting a prescient that will restrict development.

The decision was made by one of the Government's deputy traffic commissioner, Lester Maddrell, after a public inquiry.

In his conclusions, Mr Maddrell, said: "If this application were to be granted, there would be adverse environmental effects on the land and properties in the vicinity of the proposed Operating Centre, to a degree which is at present unknown, so far as soil and ground water pollution is concerned."

In November, the SNJ revealed the site was contaminated with radium, arsenic and hydrocarbons.

Chairman of the Aston Down Action Group, Sally Morgan, welcomed the latest news.

"I am extremely pleased with the result," she said.

"If this had been approved it would have opened the floodgates for more applications and more potential pollution.

"Not only is Aston Down in an AONB but it is situated over a major aquifer through which any pollution goes straight down to.

"And that aquifer serves the Chalford Springs pumping station, which pumps water directly to households untreated."

Ms Morgan also said it was good news for the protected Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons - a route already used by large vehicles as an alternative route to Stroud and the M5.

She added that the result could impact on future site users including Stroud District Council refuse contractors, Service Team, which is currently based at the site after its previous application to store 29 refuse trucks there was permitted.