Jubilant campaigners are celebrating after plans for a multi-million-pound sports complex on their doorsteps were quietly dropped.

For more than two years, people in Beauchamps Drive, Sharlands Close and Highcliffe Way in Wickford have been protesting about Beauchamps School's plans for a £2million centre in its grounds.

Residents feared that if the proposal went ahead it would destroy their quality of life.

Now the £1.6million lottery bid that would have covered 80 per cent of the school's construction costs has been thrown out by the Sports Council, forcing it to back down.

A statement issued by the school explained: "The application has now been considered, and, at a time of high demand for grant funding, the lottery is unable to provide support.

"Although we have been invited to re-submit, the lottery requires a much larger complex. Therefore the governing body consider, that at this moment in time, it is inappropriate to re-apply.

"However the funds we have raised will be allocated to an upgrading of the sports changing rooms for the benefit of our students."

The news brings to an end an often bitter debate over the complex, which would have featured state of the art sporting facilities, fitness and dance studios, a creche, a caf and conference facilities - although fierce local opposition forced a bar to be dropped from the scheme.

Hundreds of local people signed a petition condemning the idea, and even after it was given planning permission by Wickford Area Committee, dozens more wrote to the Sports Council begging it not to grant the bid.

Denis Swaysland, from residents opposition group CASE - Campaign Against School Extension - said: "This is very, very welcome news.

"This has just gone on and on, and we think its wrong that residents have been subjected to this. Our properties have been blighted for two and a half years and our lives have been blighted too.

"I just hope that next time the school is a bit more open and consults with local people."

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