Power station plans for Staffordshire village withdrawn
Controversial plans for a gas-fired power station in the Staffordshire Moorlands have been shelved.
Blythe Park Power wanted to build the plant in Cresswell near Blythe Bridge, saying it would create 1,000 jobs.
But locals objected, and the Department for Energy and Climate Change has confirmed that the company has withdrawn its planning application.
Colin Elks, one of the protesters, said: "A big, black cloud had been lifted off the village."
Conservative MP Bill Cash, who represents the area, said that he was "delighted" with the news.
"I have campaigned constantly and consistently with many of my constituents since we first found out about these £400m power station proposals," said Mr Cash.
"I don't think that there is any real prospect of them [Blythe Park Power] being able to get it back on its feet."
The company insists it still regards the site as an excellent location for a power station, but blamed uncertainty about the coalition government's energy policy for the decision.