Villagers in Totternhoe may soon have to endure huge vehicles thundering through their streets, with haulage companies showing an interest in a south Beds landmark.

The historic limeworks site in Lower End is being advertised for lease as the end looms for Totternhoe Lime and Stone Company.

For years owner Roger Bates, who plans to retire at the end of March 2009, had hoped to turn the site into housing when it the limeworks shut down.

But he has had to abandon that dream after planners thought otherwise.

His bid was initially turned down by South Beds Council, and in 2006 a planning inspector upheld the view that the site was unsuitable for housing.

Mr Bates plans to continue his battle, but in the meantime is resigned to the limeworks - which are thought to have been in operation since the 1600s - being used for industrial purposes.

It is now being marketed on a leasehold basis and the agents said it would make an ideal site for a haulage company or for container storage.

This week Mr Bates, who lives close to the limeworks, said: 'The whole thing isn't my personal wish, I'd rather live next door to houses, but I've been forced into this position by the obstricity of South Beds District Council.

'The district is screaming for houses, but they don't want to put it on a brownfield site like this. It's absolutely crazy.'