RESIDENTS have withdrawn their legal bid to prevent a controversial waste transfer station becoming operational.

Residents of Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, were taking Durham County Council to court over a decision to build the transfer station near their homes.

The case was to be heard in the High Court next Monday. However, it was announced this week that the Stainton Grove Action Group (Stag) had withdrawn its legal challenge.

No reason has yet been given, although a statement from the group is expected today.

Members of the group stressed it was not due to financial reasons.

Tony Cooke, chairman of Stag, said: "We can't really say anything until we have spoken to our solicitors."

The station will allow bin lorries to empty their loads, which would then be collected in larger vehicles and taken to landfill sites.

Councillor Brian Myers, the county council's cabinet member for waste management, said: "This is an important victory in our efforts to save money for Teesdale council tax payers.

"At present, individual bin lorries have to travel long distances to landfill sites with their loads, which costs tax payers thousands of pounds.

"If Stag had been successful, then this cost would have continued to be a tax burden into the future."

Stag was taking the council to court on environmental grounds and had hired barrister David Wolfe, an environmental specialist with Cherie Booth's Matrix Chambers, in London.

Since the waste station was first proposed in 2002, it has caused controversy, with campaigners disrupting council meetings and holding tree-top protests. One resident even chained himself to the doors of Teesdale District Council.

Although now built, the council was awaiting the outcome of the court hearing before making it operational. It is now likely to open by the middle of next month.