A SCRAPYARD owner is celebrating after being given the go-ahead to turn the green belt site into a home.

Tom Burrage, who owns the yard in Brawlings Lane, Chalfont St Peter, was granted planning permission by Chiltern District Council on Tuesday.

Mr Burrage's family have owned the land for over half a century, and at one point used to have an office building on the site which they also lived in.

Councillors had concerns about the development as the house would be built on green belt land, and because it will remove an "employment generating business".

But a majority of the councillors voted in favour of the development, and agreed with the applicant after listening to a statement from Cllr Philip Priestley (Con, Chalfont Common) who backed the plan.

He said he had received letters of support from residents in the area.

Cllr Priestley added: "I want to establish people have lived on this site in the past.

"The applicant now wants to retire, clear the site and build a single reasonably sized house in the two acres.

"By the way, contrary to rumour, there have been no hazardous material stored on this site."

He added: "Not only does this scrapyard look inappropriate in the green belt, but the enormous lorries used to transport the stuff clogs up our narrow lanes."

Cllr Priestley commented after the meeting that he was pleased with the outcome and said: "Common sense has prevailed."

Mr Burrage was unavailable for comment.