CAMPAIGNERS have won a three-year battle to reverse a controversial decision to allow 500,000 tonnes of rubble to reshape Basildon Golf Course.

The Court of Appeal quashed planning permission, granted by Basildon Council, which allowed the reshaping work, part of a planned £1million upgrade.

The court said yesterday it was a “legally defective” decision and would have seen dumping on a course classed as a county wildlife site.

Basildon Council will now have to cover the legal costs of campaign group Friends of Basildon Golf Course, which formed for the David and Goliath legal challenge.

The total bill to taxpayers is estimated to be “tens of thousands of pounds”.

Triumphant Mick Toomer, campaign chairman, said: “It is a sad day when residents have to take High Court action to protect themselves and their environment from the actions of the very same council officials who are elected and paid to act in their best interests.”

The win hinged on the simple fact the council failed to carry out an environmental assessment of the impact of the dumping on the course.

This was something the campaigners only proved earlier this year, as revealed by the Echo, and was rightly considered the ace card in the proceedings.

The course is home to a number of protected plants and animals, including orchids, great crested newts and badgers.

Lord Justice Pill, Lord Justice Carnwath and Lord Justice Rimer concluded the council was “legally defective” and it was “inadequate” to believe the study was not required.

John Toplis from the campaign group said: “We are pleased the judges upheld our common-sense view that something was very wrong with the planning process.

“In this struggle Basildon Council gave itself planning permission and has defended its actions with access to unlimited professional expertise and funds.

“Neither they nor the developer sought to amend any of the plans to accommodate our concerns.”