CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow up to seventy lorries a day to pass along protected rights of way in Biggin Hill have been rejected by Bromley Council.

There has been fierce opposition to the plans from Cherry Lodge Golf Club to build an access road to allow the redevelopment of 11 holes on their course.

The proposed 18-month project would see 70 lorries every day use the path, an average of one every six minutes.

The proposed road, which would join Main Road, would have run alongside a popular bridleway currently used by riders and dog walkers, crossing it at two points.

Local people are worried so many lorries would make the byway unusable.

Though protesters are relieved the plans have not been given the go ahead, they are concerned the real battle may still be ahead.

The Cherry Lodge Action Group [CLAG] set up a committee this week in case the golf club appeals the decision.

Tony Lewis, of Main Road, is secretary of CLAG. He said: “I’m relieved we have got this far but it’s only the first battle.

“Before the decision I thought it was a foregone conclusion but now I have seen the amount of opposition I’m beginning to think there’s a good chance we can win this.”

Caroline De Vivo, 46, of Berry’s Green Road, has joined the committee as a representative for the riders who use the byway.

She said: “We are happy at the result but we have set up a committee to fight it further. Now the bigger battle will start.

“Our main aim is to make more people aware. Neighbours were never consulted in the first place. I don’t think they know how horrendous its going to be.”

The application was rejected following more than 500 complaints from local residents.

Cherry Lodge were unable to comment.