Campaigners have won their 18-month battle to stop an airfield being built near them.

Planning councillors rejected the scheme for Little Mongeham at a meeting this month, delighting the protesters attending the meeting.

The application, by landowner Richard Ledger, was to have an airfield with a 750 metre runway, helipad, and two aircraft hangars at Manor Farm, Willow Woods Road.

The plan would have involved an average of 20 light aircraft movements a day, taking off or landing, with up to 7,500 movements a year.

In addition, it would have had a charging point for electric planes.

But the plans have failed to take off, bringing joy to those against it.

Following its rejection at Dover District Council planning meeting, a statement from main pressure group Chocks Go Away said: "We did it!"

"This was the result Chocks Go Away campaigned so tirelessly for.

"The event was attended in large numbers by members and supporters from all affected parishes and addressed by representatives speaking on behalf of the applicants and Chocks Go Away teams.

"The importance of this result cannot be overstated as there was so much at stake for our homes, communities, environment, wildlife and tranquility."

Prior to the meeting, Dover District Council planning officers recommended refusal of the application, saying it would cause too much noise and disturbance for neighbours.

They commented in the committee report: "Clear harmful noise impacts from the proposed development to the amenity, health and quality of life of nearby residents are identified, which should carry very significant weight."

Protesters battled against the scheme since it was submitted to the authority in April 2021.

The neighbouring parish councils of Great Mongeham, Northbourne, Sutton, Sholden and Ripple were all against the application because of fears of, for example, noise and impact on bird life.

There were 860 letters of objection from local residents who also feared harm to wildlife overall and increase traffic.

Resident Frank Crompton, in a statement to the council planning portal, said he feared noise pollution and added: "The peace and quiet of the countryside would be ruined."

Graeme Akhurst's letter to the portal said: "I do not see any demonstration of economic benefit outweighing the potential harm to local residents.

'The perceived negatives are grossly outweighed by the benefits at both local and global level...'

"There are around 100 dwellings within a 1.2km (three-quarter mile) radius of the airstrip."

However there were 668 letters of support for the application.

These writers said more airfields were needed particularly after closures such as that of Manston Airport.

They believed this project would increase tourism in the area and employment opportunities.

Resident Nick Toy said on the planning portal: "It is a very ambitious plan embodying future technologies, which would be very good for the area and the country as a whole.

"Electric light aircraft are very quiet. They also produce little or no pollution."

Samuel Rutherford said: "I support this initiative - encouraging both young and old into aviation, as well as green aviation.

"The perceived negatives are grossly outweighed by the benefits at both local and global level. We need to support our aviation future."

Mr Ledger did not offer a comment but a group of light aviation enthusiasts, who gave support in the preparation of the plan, said they were "disappointed in the council's decision.

A spokesman said that councillors "seemed to have failed to take on board the value of benefits to the area by the modest group of light aircraft owners who would use the facility."

The group said Natural England and a Government ecology advisor had no objection to the scheme.

It added that sound experts consulted disagreed with the council on its noise verdict.