Compost campaign success

CHAMPAGNE was flowing this week as campaigners celebrated the rejection of controversial plans for a composting site at Woolley Colliery.

More than a 1,000 residents objected to plans to create an open-air unit at the former pit site.

The application was submitted in April by Iain Devine, of Land Engineering Services, for the creation of a spoil tip reclamation scheme and a green waste composting site.

Mr Devine has now withdrawn the composting element of the application and has agreed to carry out the reclamation scheme.

It comes after the plans were deferred by Wakefield council planning board in November because a decision could not be reached by officers.

Coun Harry Spence, who has spearheaded the Barnsley campaign against the plans, said reaction from residents had been 'brilliant'.