Campaigners in Solihull fighting to save plots of garden space from development said they remained prepared for a long battle despite the plans being thrown out for a second time.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council rejected revised proposals by Sandstone Group to build an estate of 71 homes, set over 12 properties in Elmdon Lane, Marston Green.

Similar proposals were rejected by the same committee in October and it is thought that the Warwick-based developer will now decide against re-submitting fresh proposals.

Sandstone has signalled its intention to launch an appeal which could see a Government inspector rule on whether the scheme can be given the go-ahead.

The plans were rejected by Solihull Council on Wednesday night following evidence that the properties would have been built within the noise contours of Birmingham International Airport.

Planning committee members opposed the plans in the face of advice by local authority officers to accept them.

Linda Poulson, who lives in Elmdon Lane and is spokeswoman for Marston Green Opposing Over Development (MGOOD), said: "We were very happy with the result but we are ready to continue fighting these proposals.

"We do not think this is going to go away, but we will continue the battle."

Adrian Kibbler, spokesman for Sandstone, said the developer was still considering its options but was likely to go to appeal He said: "We are disappointed but not surprised at the decision of the planning committee.

"We are frustrated on behalf of Solihull council taxpayers at the fact that they face being burdened with the considerable appeal costs that will surely arise as a result of a decision that has been blatantly taken against the recommendation of the council's own planning officers who are the experts in these matters.

"Sandstone believes the reason for the refusal is not sustainable and whilst the decision may temporarily delay this development we are confident of success on appeal."

n Hundreds of campaigners protested in a rural village against plans to turn it into an eco-town of 15,000 homes.

About 500 protesters waving placards including "Down with the eco-town" and "Stop the Co-op eco-town" attended Saturday's rally in Stoughton, Leicestershire. The village and surrounding area is on a list of about 50 sites that have been ear-marked by developers as possible locations for one of the Government's new eco-towns. One of the potential sites is at Long Marston in Warwickshire which has also seen protests by residents. It is expected the Government will cut the number of sites to a shortlist of 18 next week.

The Co-op owns about 4,500 acres of farmland around Stoughton and there are plans to build about 15,000 homes on part of the land in a development which campaigners say would dramatically alter their community.

Edward Garnier, the Conservative MP for Harborough, said: "This site creates a very easy deal for the Government because it only has to deal with one landlord whereas with other sites it will have to deal with several different land-owners.

"The reason why this demonstration was important is that we are trying to bring to national attention the complete idiocy of this proposal. It will not only damage rural Leicestershire but Leicester. There won't be the roads, the nearest motorway is 30 miles away. The whole thing is a disaster."

A final decision on the locations of the eco-towns is expected in the summer.

The idea behind them is that they are environmentally friendly, with public transport links and energy efficient homes.

A spokesperson for the Communities and Local Government Department said: "No decisions have been taken yet on what bids have been shortlisted."