Whitchurch and the Upper Test Valley villages are CELEBRATING the news that US giant Wheelabrator has officially withdrawn their plans for a massive incinerator, larger than Battersea Power Station, that threatened to devastate the precious eco systems of the River Test and Dever chalk streams.

With spare capacity at each of the three smaller Hampshire incinerators, the plan was vehemently opposed by all local councils, MPs, countless businesses, environment bodies and the many thousands of residents and user groups.

Jackie Browne, coordinator for Whitchurch WaW commented, “why any company thought that this site alongside a world famous chalk stream, multiple SSSIs, protected commons, meadows and ancient natural woodland was a good business decision is beyond me, but right now I’m celebrating that the nearby countryside paths and Test Way long distance trail are no longer under threat and would like to thank the many volunteers that walked the walk delivering thousands of leaflets, put up boards, wrote letters, lobbied politicians, organised fundraising events and behind it all the ‘Keep Test Valley Beautiful’ campaign team for simply being magnificent”.