Campaigners are scenting victory after an independent panel said plans to take sand and gravel from the Benson and Stadhampton area should be dropped.

But that same recommendation could mean attention focusing on an alternative site in the Wallingford-Cholsey-Moulsford area.

Now Wallingford Town Council is seeking expert opinion and legal advice.

The recommendation to drop Benson and Stadhampton now goes to Oxfordshire County Council which has the final decision on whether the plans should still figure in the county's strategy over the next 10 years.

The plans were fought by Page -- Parishes Against Gravel Extraction -- and its chairman John Howell said: "I am delighted at the panel's conclusions."

The panel consisted of two Government-appointed planning experts who conducted the Examination In Public of the County Structure Plan.

They criticised the way a wholly new area of gravel working round Benson and Stadhampton had been included.

Dr Howell, who represents the area on the county council, said gravel extraction would have blighted the neighbourhood.

He said: "The panel agreed with us that the approach adopted by the Structure Plan to justify the choice of this area was both inappropriate and flawed.

"The recommendation to drop this plan will go before the county council early in 2005 and we hope it is approved.

"I hope the panel's report is accepted -- anyone choosing not to accept the recommendations would be flying directly in the face of an independent panel, a wide range of independent expert opinion and most importantly of all, the will of the people."

Page represented the parishes of Benson, Stadhampton, Warborough, Berinsfield, Berrick Salome, Newington, Chalgrove, Dorchester and Drayton St Leonard.

At the Examination In Public the panel was told that the county council was also considering the area around Wallingford.

The panel has made no recommendation on that possibility but says the county council should review its whole policy.

Wallingford mayor Theresa Jordan said: "We will fight tooth and nail against any suggestion that gravel working should take place around Wallingford.

"We supported Page and we will fight our own corner if necessary."