A last-ditch attempt to gain planning permission for an 18-hole golf course in Yatton Keynell has been dismissed at appeal.

Planning inspector Richard McCoy has ruled against an appeal to import nearly 148,000 cubic metres of inert waste material to create a par three course on land next to the existing golf academy.

More than 50 residents attended the start of the planning appeal angered by plans to use waste including soil, concrete, bricks and stones to form contours on the course.

Wiltshire Council refused plans to extend the golf academy to incorporate a par three course in July last year, but developers Keep Future Leisure Ltd appealed against the decision.

Inspector Richard McCoy said: “While I find in favour of the proposal in terms of character and appearance, benefits and other matters, these considerations would not be sufficient to outweigh the conflict with policy which seeks to sustainably manage waste operations in the area.”

In opening the appeal planning inspector Richard McCoy said he had received 63 letters and e-mails of objection to the proposal from residents and parish councillors in Yatton Keynell and Chippenham Without.

He had received only three letters in support of the project.

Among the objectors were former defence secretary and life peer Lord Tom King, who lives in nearby Castle Combe.

He shared concerns that the golf course would never be completed and that once the waste was moved in the project could be abandoned.

But Mr McCoy said: “From the evidence before me I do not agree with this view as I consider the appellant has demonstrated an intention to construct a golf course within a specified time period.”

The inspector also revealed that the developer's calculations left 94,000 cubic metres of imported waste unaccounted for in their plans.

Will Lawton, who spoke out against the plans at the inquiry, is delighted at the result.

“I am chuffed to bits,” he said. “I think it is brilliant that it is not going ahead because now the field will remain a field.

“I really feel that common sense has prevailed.”

Mr Lawton was amazed at how the community pulled together to fight the plans, and wishes the golf academy all the best for the future.

“I hope they do not feel victimised in this because we have no problem with them being there,” he said.

“All we objected to were the plans to turn this field into a landfill site.”