THE threat of a deadly disease being spread in Old Sodbury has been dispelled following a victorious public campaign.

People living near Southcroft Farm, off the A46, were so alarmed at proposals to reopen an outdoor composting facility that they mounted a widespread protest to protect themselves.

Residents were worried that if planning permission was granted for the compost farm they could contract Aspergillus, a disease caused by bio-aerosols being released into the atmosphere.

Councillors on South Gloucestershire Council's development control (east) committee allayed their fears as they refused planning permission for the compost farm at a packed public meeting last Thursday.

Cllr Alan Lawrance (Lib Dem, Dodington) said: "A new report following tests on a similar composting farm in Germany says that a buffer zone of 250 metres is needed.

"But Old Sodbury Primary School and 10 properties are within that zone so potentially we are gambling with someone's health."

Farmers father and son Michael and Simon Mitchell had applied to reopen the composting facility for a trial period of two years after it was forced to close in 2005. Smells were said to be so bad during the time it was open that residents could not sit outside in their gardens.

Cllr Sue Hope (Lib Dem, Cotswold Edge) said: "My phone did not stop ringing when the site was operational.

"We all applaud efforts to recycle green waste but this is not the appropriate site because of the geography of the area.

"We were told that prevailing winds would take the smell away but that is simply not the case and there is a whole wad of evidence regarding the health issues."

Simon Mitchell told the meeting at Kingswood's Civic Centre: "Nimbyism is everywhere.

"We create this waste and it is our responsibility to deal with it. It would help us reduce our carbon footprint.

"I know there are concerns about Aspergillus but all the tests we have had done show that these spores are not leaving the site because they are broken down by the woods between the village and the farm."

After more than an hour's deliberation, the planning application was refused by just one vote.

Council officials said there were no planning reasons to refuse the application, because the council's own Environmental Health officer, the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had raised no objections to the composting farm, and that a costly appeal process could follow.

Villagers who have been battling against the compost farm for four years celebrated the victory on board a bus arranged to bring residents to the meeting.

Julia Coulthard, chairman of the Old Sodbury action group, said: "We are very grateful to the councillors who voted against this application and for really understanding and challenging officers on the key health issues.

"We hope that we can now be allowed to return to our peaceful, happy and normal lives."