A LONG-running battle over LNG terminals has come to an end as Safe Haven's application to the House of Lords has failed.

Alison Hardy and Rodney Maile, of campaigners Safe Haven, started their legal battle in summer 2005, since which time the case has been before the High Court once and the Court of Appeal on four occasions.

The campaigners have been trying to get planning permission on the gas facilities near Milford Haven quashed.

On this occasion the pair sought permission from the Law Lords to launch a challenge.

The basis of their argument was that the Court of Appeal had refused to disqualify itself from dealing with the appeal to the High Court decision.

In papers released by the House of Lords it is said the protesters were aware the Law Lords could not hear an appeal into the merits of their full challenge, but felt they might have jurisdiction to consider the question of whether the appeal judges should have disqualified themselves on legal grounds.

However, in a decision just published, three Law Lords, headed by former Lord Chief Justice Lord Bingham, now the senior Law Lord, refused them permission to carry on.

At previous hearings the county council and the companies involved have successfully argued that the protesters had left their challenge too late.

The protesters' case focused on the planning application that was granted for the reception, storage and regasification of LNG at the former Esso refinery, South Hook.