'Megashed' proposal is rejected

The building would have been larger than Heathrow's new Terminal 5

Plans to build a so-called "megashed" on the site of a former airport in Hampshire have been rejected.

Developers Goodman wanted to construct the building, which would have covered 23 acres (93,079 sq m), on the former Andover Airfield.

It is understood the facility would have been a distribution centre for the supermarket chain Tesco.

But at a packed meeting of Test Valley Borough Council's Northern Planning Committee, the scheme was rejected.

However, it has been referred to Test Valley Borough Council's planning control committee for a further decision.

Campaigners against the proposal filled the meeting on Monday night, which had to be moved from the council chambers to Andover's The Lights Theatre.

Protestors celebrated after planning approval was rejected

They said the plan would damage the environment and clog up the roads.

But those in favour of the scheme said it would create 900 jobs and see a £120m investment in Andover's economy.

Rhonda Smith, of the Stop Alliance, said they would rather see a mixed-use business park built.

"The Stop campaign will be there at the next stage," she said.

"We've now got enough grounds for this to be permanently rejected."

But Gerald Knight, of Goodman Developers, said: "It will be a major boost to the economy of Andover so many jobs, so much skills training and public transport and infrastructure improvement."

If the plan is thrown out, the developers said it was highly likely that they would appeal against the decision.