The Dibden Bay inquiry has reached mid-point, with both sides desperate for the ultimate victory...

IT has been called ecological vandalism and the biggest crate of controversy ever to hit Southampton Water, and at the same time it's a trade-booster and a vital shot in the arm for the Port of Southampton.

Associated British Port's plan to turn an area of reclaimed land near the mouths of the Rivers Test and Itchen into the £750m Dibden Bay Container Terminal was formally announced in 1997 and has been intensively debated nationally and locally ever since.

On November 27 last year, a public inquiry was launched to pull into focus all the assessments, opinions and emotions stirred up by the issue.

This week the Dibden Bay inquiry is half-way through its estimated lifespan - and half-way through 23 topics, 41 major witnesses, and enough weighty proofs of evidence to stock a library.

This inquiry could make history as one of the last mammoth, money-draining tribunals of its kind in the UK, because of new government legislation to cut the cost of deciding planning issues.

And the cost can run into tens of millions - ABP have set aside a staggering £20m, and each major participant has their own legal teams.

Southampton City Council is also expecting to pay more than £400,000.

The small local pressure group Residents Against Dibden Bay Port is being stretched to the limits to find £2,000 for every day they appear at the inquiry.

Now, after 66 days of wall-to-wall talking, most of it at the old Stena terminal at Southampton's Eastern Docks, the inquiry has covered eight topics.

These range from the nation's need for the development down to the impact on local salmon, cockles and widgeon.

No stone has been left unturned on the controversial Dibden foreshore.

The crowds who flocked to the public gallery for the first few days, when the hearing was at Applemore recreation centre, soon dwindled, worn down by so many millions of words and the ten-mile venue shift to Southampton's Eastern Docks.

By Day 20, the gallery was bare, and its population has only perked up to a couple of dozen on days of extra excitement like Day 62 when fishing was discussed or Day 47 when bird life topped the agenda.

Warnings on Day 41 that the dredging scheme designed to rejuvenate wildlife habitats could actually create ecological chaos and flood homes in Hythe also caused a stir among the dogged faithful who regularly make their way down to the Docks.

On Day 29, ABP were on the up when an expert said Dibden Bay offered a tailor-made solution to Britain's growing need for a new deep water port.

By Day 32 the advantage had swung towards the opponents of the container port, as another expert said that a development at Dibden Bay would cause more environmental damage than any other Dock scheme in the UK.

On Day 47 ABP came under fire for failing to find out how food for birdlife would be affected by their plans.

But by Day 49, the port bosses were being praised for doing their best to plan new homes for wildlife evicted by the terminal development.

Eight down, 15 topics to go, ranging from Land Access and Visual Impact to Air Quality, Noise and Vibration, and Human Rights.

The individual charged with the incredibly complex task of sifting through Dibden Bay's pros and cons is government inspector Michael Hurley.

The 57-year-old has reached the highest grade in the government's planning inspectorate and has experienced some of the biggest planning inquiries in the country.

But even Mr Hurley permitted himself a huge sigh as he opened proceedings at the start of this week and announced that the Dibden Bay inquiry had reached its half-way point.

Barring delayed witnesses, over-runs, filibustering and unforeseen circumstances, only another 66 days to go........