MEMBERS of an action group are celebrating after finally winning their battle to stop the site of their local pub being turned into flats.

Residents from Sholing, Southampton, have been fighting plans to build 52 flats on the site of the Elephant and Castle pub in Bursledon Road for the past 18 months.

The plans were twice refused by Southampton City Council, but developers David Wilson Homes lodged an appeal.

This week protesters heard that following a public inquiry held last month the appeal was dismissed by a government planning inspector.

Campaigner Graham Chapman, of North East Road, who wrote one of more than 1,900 letters of opposition received by planning chiefs against the plans, said: "I knew the inspectorate would make a fair decision, either way, and I think this solid decision confirms my beliefs."

Pub regular Ernie Rhodes added: "We have worked hard on this. We didn't know what we were doing at the start but we improved as we went on. I really think from the way the report has come out that they listened to us."

Among the reasons for refusal given by the City Council on both occasions were the creation of too much traffic in nearby residential roads and a proposed threat to the area's peaceful nature.

Residents felt that the flats would cause unbearable traffic congestion and leave their visitors with nowhere to park.

The report by the planning inspector concluded that the proposals would harm the amenities of surrounding residents.

A spokesman for David Wilson Homes said the company would be liaising with Southampton City Council and reviewing its plans to develop on the site.