Battling villagers were celebrating this week after a meat rendering plant plan was rejected over odour pollution concerns. For more than 18 months Banham Poultry has been trying to get permission to process animal by-products at its plant near Great Witchingham.

Battling villagers were celebrating this week after a meat rendering plant plan was rejected over odour pollution concerns.

For more than 18 months Banham Poultry has been trying to get permission to process animal by-products at its plant near Great Witchingham.

But residents of the village fiercely objected because of fears there would be noise and odour pollution.

And on Tuesday night Broadland Council refused to give the firm a Pollution Prevention and Control licence (PPC) which would allow them to start operating at the site.

In February Norfolk County Council refused planning permission for an already existing development on the site.

Objector Tania Spelacy from the parish council said: “We welcome the decision but now feel the county council and Broadland district council should join forces to ensure the blot on the landscape is removed.

“Banham has flouted planning laws and ridden rough-shod over this small community costing tax payers more than £100,000 in the process.”

Banham Poultry has already pledged to appeal the decision.

tA public meeting will be held on Thursday September 25, at 7.30pm at Lenwade House Hotel Marquee with Keith Simpson MP, leader of Broadland Council Simon Woodbridge, county councillor for the district, planning officers from the county council and Broadland Council.