RESIDENTS in Stratton can breath a huge sigh of relief as plans to build two 10m chimneys have been thrown out for good.

Last year, a planning application was submitted to Swindon Borough Council for permission for two industrial chimneys and biomass boilers at the notorious Marshgate Waste Transfer Station in Stratton.

The proposals were rejected, but the applicant Bromview Ltd applied to the Planning Inspectorate in an attempt to overturn the decision.

But it has now been confirmed that the appeal has failed, much to the relief of residents.

The Marshgate site has been the subject of much controversy in recent years as fires ravaged the plant in 2013 and 2014, with the Environment Agency declaring it a “catastrophe”.

People who live near it were desperate not to see the problems return.

Barrie Jennings, who sits on the Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, and who has been a staunch opponent of the plans since they were submitted last year, said: “It’s brilliant news, I feel a great sense of relief.

“The residents were very concerned indeed.

“It must have been hugely worrying for them, especially after having experienced the fires, to see something that might suggests the problems will return.”

The proposal was for the installation of two biomass boilers, intended to burn wood, to be placed along the northern boundary of Marshgate Waste Transfer Station. For this to go ahead, two chimneys would also have needed to have been be erected.

Each 999kw boiler would have had a flue extending to a height of 10 metres and would be housed in one of the existing buildings.

The applicant always maintained that the chimneys would have had “minimal impact” on the surrounding area, but neither the council nor the Planning Inspectorate agreed.

In the documents explaining why the appeal was refused, the inspectorate outlined the main issues as “the effect on the character and appearance of the locality and the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with regard to matters including air quality, noise, smells and general disturbance”.

The authority said: “The plans provided are scant in detail and are inaccurate, showing varying heights of chimneys. They do not give me assurance of the height or physical appearance of the proposed development.

“I cannot be assured that the appeal development would not adversely affect the character or appearance of the locality or the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with regard to noise, smells and general disturbance.”

A delighted Coun Jennings said he thought the inspectorate’s reasons for refusing the appeal were “sound enough”, but, he warned: “We know how these things work and there is nothing to stop similar applications being submitted in the future.

“It’s important that we listen to residents’ concerns and do not do anything that would harm the environment and their quality of life.”

It was also noted that the proposals were not in accord with the council’s Local Plan.