Campaigners are celebrating after a landmark victory which saw plans for a huge quarry off the A12 overturned. 

The Royal Court of Justice quashed the approval given by Suffolk County Council to allow the facility at Brockley Wood, between Belstead and Bentley, on Thursday. 

Almost three million tonnes of sand and gravel would have been extracted over a 15-year period. 

The plans were originally given the go-ahead earlier this yearThe plans were originally given the go-ahead earlier this year (Image: Bentley Parish Council)

Legal action was launched by Bentley Parish Council, Copdock and Washbrook Parish Council and a small group of residents in May. 

Marianne Munday, chair of Bentley Parish Council, said: "The planning decision to approve this application was legally flawed, which Suffolk County Council has now been obliged to concede in the High Court.

"This error was drawn expressly to its attention both before and at the time of the planning decision, but this was ignored. 

"We are pleased that we are being listened to."

The application was heavily criticised by those affected, with more than 124 objections submitted during the application process. 

It would have been one of nine allocated sand and gravel extraction sites in the county.

Cries of shame were heard when the planning committee approved the decision in March. 

One of the most contentious points for residents was the proposed lorry route, which included narrow country lanes.

Ms Munday added: "One of our major concerns is about the HGV's and we were really concerned about the impact on our villages."

Adrian Ward, chair of Copdock and Washbrook Parish Council, said: “The lorry route management plan offered by the applicant was woefully inadequate and planning officers have shown a total disregard of local residents’ concerns in refusing to acknowledge the inevitability of 160 HGVs a day using narrow roads and quiet lanes without any imposition of proper restrictions, controls or enforcement mechanisms.”

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said: “Suffolk County Council considered its position and agreed that the committee required more evidence about how LP18 had been taken into account, including the consideration of the Valued Landscape Assessment. Therefore, the authority agreed to no longer contest this claim."

According to the original planning statement, policy LP18 relates to the biodiversity and geodiversity. 

Suffolk County Council says a revised application for the site could be made by the end of the year and would include any consultation on the revised plans.