THE tiny dormouse has seen off the threat of a giant holiday village in Hampshire woods.

Winchester planners have rejected controversial plans for a 130-chalet development at Black Wood, Micheldever.

The city council reckoned the impact on the ancient woodland, including the habitat of the endangered dormouse, was too great.

Local campaigners, the Dever Society, have been celebrating the news. Its chairman, Douglas Paterson, hailed it as “a victory for local people, local wildlife and the local environment.”

William Helen, chairman of Micheldever Parish Council, added: “It is nice that the city council has taken this line. It was the appropriate decision.”

The city council received 120 representations mostly opposed to the scheme, with objectors including CPRE Hampshire, Hampshire Wildlife Trust, local parish councils, and the Government’s wildlife agency Natural England.

The applicants Forest Holidays wanted to build 130 chalets with reception, a shop, café, ‘forest experience room’, cycle hire, toilets. But planning officers used delegated powers to turn down the plan. The impact on the woods would be too great, harming its tranquil setting.

They said it would also damage the ecology and biodiversity in ancient woodland, a site of importance for nature conservation. The increase in car use to the area was also unacceptable.

Forest Holidays were unavailable for comment.