CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after plans for 1,200 homes in Sebastopol were thrown out by Torfaen councillors - a decision that could cost the council £8 million.

Torfaen council threw out plans for the houses to be built on farm and woodland near Cwmbran Drive in south Sebastopol last week during a heated, extraordinary council meeting at County Hall.

Delighted campaigners, who have fought a 15-year battle, packed out the public gallery.

There were 13 votes for and 21 against the fresh application made by a consortium of developers including Barratt Homes, the Welsh Development Agency, Asbri Planning and Crest Strategic Projects Ltd.

But, the leader of Torfaen council fears the decision to reject plans will cost the council £8 million.

During the meeting the council's chief planning and public protection officer Duncan Smith reminded councillors they had already voted unanimously for the Deposit Torfaen Local Development Plan on February 15 which sets out the need for housing in the borough and includes the south Sebastopol site.

Councillor Bob Wellington, who supported the outline planning application, told councillors the developers would probably lodge an appeal and that the council would most likely lose.

He said: "We will lose £8 million and it will still go ahead. I have to ask you what have you gained if that is the case."

This money includes the council missing out on the legal agreement payout which would have provided it with £5,760,000 for improvements to education facilities, £175,000 for a subsidised bus service, improvements to some roads and roundabouts, a recycling centre and £35,000 for its servicing, a canal basin car park and leisure facilities.

On top of this would be any possible legal costs resulting from an appeal.

Asbri Planning Ltd have said that there was a "strong likelihood" an appeal would be lodged but was waiting to see the decision notice before deciding on its strategy.

However local campaigners are not detered. Carol Jacob, of Friends of the Earth Torfaen, said: "We at Torfaen Friends of the Earth are delighted that Torfaen Council turned down proposals.

"We are aware, however, that this may not be the end of plans to build on the site - it is very likely that the developers will appeal against the Council's decision.

"We are ready to continue to oppose any plans to build, just as we have done since the South Sebastopol scheme was first put forward in 1996."

Following the vote, a motion was passed recommending the grounds on which the refusal of the application would be made.

It included highways, transport, access and circulation issues and issues surrounding green wedges of land.

The matter will now be bought back before councillors at a later date for them to receive a further report on the reasons for refusal.