PEOPLE living near a former composting farm in Old Sodbury have claimed victory in their fight to close the facility for good.

Residents have been campaigning against outdoor composting at Southcroft Farm since 2003 amid fears that bio-aerosol gases will damage their health and this week their claims were enforced by an independent planning inspector.

Following a three-day hearing in February, planning inspector Robert Luck has dismissed an appeal to reopen the compost plant made by father and son farmers Michael and Simon Mitchell.

In his report, Mr Luck said villagers and pupils at Old Sodbury Primary School should not have to contend with smells from the compost farm.

He said: "The main issues are the effect of the proposal on the health of occupants of properties in the vicinity of the site and the living conditions of local residents, with particular reference to odours.

"Villagers present at the hearing described how use of their gardens was rendered impossible, how they used to leave the area for relief, and how it was impossible to open windows in their dwellings.

"It was reported that schoolchildren had to be kept inside during break periods and windows in the school kept closed."

Chairman of Old Sodbury Compost Farm Action Group Julia Coulthard, who has been leading the campaign since her family moved to Church Lane, said the decision was a vote for common sense.

She added: "This site, at this location, had a trial period and caused horrendous problems for many nearby residents and the primary school. It was never a suitable location for composting.

"We would again like to thank the councillors on the planning committee who refused the application in the first instance. The inspector’s reasons for dismissing the appeal confirms the wisdom of their decision."

The Mitchells opened the composting plant at their family farm, just off the A46, in a bid to increase recycling in South Gloucestershire and increase profits.

They admitted problems with odours during trials six years ago, which led to the compost farm being closed down by enforcement officers from South Gloucestershire Council. They reopened in 2007 without planning permission and were met with a barrage of complaints from locals.

The family were denied a two-year temporary order in July 2008 and the Mitchells appealed against the council’s decision.

Simon Mitchell told the Gazette: "We are disappointed. How is it ever going to be possible to recycle green waste when every statutory health body supported us but the council goes against us?

"If it is so dangerous why are community sites at Hawkesbury Upton Village Hall, Thornbury Leisure Centre and Shire Way Community Centre in Yate allowed?"

He said the family had not yet decided whether to take their appeal to the High Court.