CAMPAIGNERS fighting a large hotel and leisure complex on the outskirts of Fairford whooped with joy yesterday after planning bosses threw out the proposed development.

Nearly 1,500 people opposed the 38-bedroom hotel and 200 holiday homes at three lakes in the Eastern Water Park, and councillors agreed.

Cotswold District Council received 258 letters of objection to the development, while the project also sparked opposition from Fairford Town Council, Fairford Environmental Society, Cotswold Water Park Joint Committee and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Serious concerns were raised about possible traffic problems and flooding risks, although the Environment Agency and Highways Authority did not object and applicant Cygnet Investments submitted detailed plans about the layout of parking and access to the A417.

After the planning meeting there were cheers from the 40 local people and civic leaders who attended.

Pensioner GuenildaTaylor said: "I am so thrilled. I have lived in Fairford for 37 years and I walk around the lakes twice a day because I have dogs. I live on my own and it's my social life. If it had gone part of my life would have gone."

Suzanne Jones, of Fairford Environmental Society, who spoke during the meeting, was instrumental in galvanising the community against the complex.

She said: "I feel absolute elation. Councillors have made the right decision and listened to the people of Fairford."

The planning committee threw out the proposals because of the intensity of the development around Lakes 103, 103A and 104, the environmental impact on wildlife and the inability of local amenities, like doctors' surgeries, to cope with the significant increase in population.

Ward member Malcolm Berry also criticised the design of the hotel, describing it as resembling an "airport terminal".

He said: "Lake 104 is as much a part of the heritage of Fairford as the church, and the community is looking to the committee to protect it - this is graffiti in three dimensions."

Cllr Sue Herman (Ind, Churn Valley) added: "The hotel looks like a supermarket - it's low grade design."

Planning officers had recommended the outline application be approved and agent for the applicant David Neame said Cygnet Investments had made every effort to adhere to council planning regulations and the needs of the community.