PLANS for a controversial quarrying development have been scrapped after fierce opposition from local parish councillors and residents in Bidford.

Jubiliant villagers were celebrating this week after international mineral giant Cemex withdrew a planning application to extract sand and gravel from Broom Court Farm.

The firm, which was stunned by the fury of local reaction, instructed its agents to cancel the request. Warwickshire County Council officials received a formal letter on Wednesday.

The news was greeted with delight by villagers and councillors who had campaigned to stop further quarry development in the area.

Parish Clerk Elisabeth Uggerloese, speaking for Bidford parish council said: "The parish council is delighted that Cemex have withdrawn their application. We found out the news on Monday and were jumping for joy."

Salford Priors councillor Tony Wolfe said: "We are both concerned and delighted for our friends in Bidford who do not have to look at that mess but we are aware that Cemex probably won't stop there and we will be watching where they go next.

"Many congratulations to the residents who took part in the successful campaign against the extension of Broom Court farm. Now we've got to stay on our guard in this village and watch the minerals excavate elsewhere."

A Spokesman for BARG - Bidford on Avon Residents Group - Walter Stafford said he was delighted with the news that Cemex was withdrawing its application.

"We're delighted with the news that Cemex will not be continuing with planning application at Broom Court Farm but we're also very cautious as to where the minerals work will go next. But BARG members are extremely pleased with result."

Peter French, also a member of BARG added: "We'd like to thank the whole community for their hard work in campaigning against the Cemex application. This result goes to show that a small village in Warwickshire can take on a mutli-national corporation. The next thing we'll have to do is watch where the minerals company hopes to go from here."

County councillor Peter Barnes said: "The news that Cemex will not be going ahead with the application at Broom Court farm is wonderful and it's a wonderful way to end 2005 and begin 2006.

"A lot of people from Bidford have done a lot of work by writing letters of objection opposing this application. It goes to show what a letter of objection can do."

The application by Cemex, previously known as RMC, proposed to extend its sand and gravel workings at Marsh Farm quarry in Salford Priors. The extraction at Broom court farm to the south of Bidford Road (B439) was proposed to last five and half years.

Cemex suggested the material would be transported from the site by a circular conveyor belt 1,200 metres long running on rollers.

In April residents from Bidford opposed the application on the grounds that the development would affect the health of villagers for the next ten years through noise and pollution.

No one was available to comment on behalf of Cemex or their agents White Young Green when the Journal went to press.