Douglas Paterson added that the news was “a victory for local people, local wildlife and the local environment.”

The Dever Society has been actively monitoring the proposals since March 2008, and has held several meetings with representatives from the developers, Forest Holidays. The Society also liaised closely with Micheldever Parish Council before lodging its formal objection to a holiday development in this particular location.

The Society’s objection was amongst more than 120 representations received by City Council planners, with objectors including CPRE Hampshire, the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, local parish councils, and the Government’s wildlife agency Natural England. Dever Society members were amongst the many local people who also wrote to oppose the proposals.

In rejecting Forest Holidays’ application, the City Council reflected the Dever Society’s view that the development would significantly harm the landscape setting, tranquillity and wildlife of this protected ancient woodland. “The City Council also accepted our opinion that the scheme would generate an unacceptable increase in the amount of traffic on local roads, posing a danger to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users,” said Douglas Paterson.