CAMPAIGNERS' cheers greeted the news that plans for a controversial chimney in Hopwood had been withdrawn.

Members of action group HARM (Hopwood Against Rendering Movement) turned out in force at a Worcestershire County Council planning committee meeting to hear the fate of the proposed chimney at Mayfield Farm, Canalside.

HARM chairman Jeremy Roberts was thrilled by the announcement, which came after months of heated campaigning against the erection of the 17-metre chimney.

He said: "It was an incredible atmosphere and planning officers said they'd never seen the room so full - everyone was clapping and cheering."

The rendering plant would have been installed to incinerate animal carcasses at the site, which lies on green belt land and is surrounded by open countryside.

In a report prepared for the committee, council officers recommended councillors refuse plans on the grounds of "inappropriate development" in the green belt and its "adverse impact" on the surrounding countryside.

They said the applicant had failed to provide sufficient information to show emissions would not have a detrimental effect on the environment.

Environmental concerns were also cited in objections from Bromsgrove Council, British Waterways and Alvechurch and Barnt Green parish councils.

Other reasons cited among the objections were nuisance to nearby residents, including noise, dirt and smells and increased traffic from vehicles travelling to and from the site.

Mr Roberts said he was not surprised at the outcome because the planning application was "completely illogical".

But he said an appeal for a second identical application was expected to be heard in February next year.

He added: "We're half way there but we've still got a long way to go.

"But we'll keep pushing - we've got people on our side through hard work and determination and we refuse to give up."