Campaigners plan protests over waste site near Market Drayton

More than 50 residents took part in a second protest voicing their concerns about AR Richards Ltd's plans to open a waste site at the former Greenvale AP site.

People living near the proposed site in Dutton Close, Stoke Heath, near Market Drayton, say they are planning more protests due to fears about pollution and toxic waste from the site causing health problems.

Wendy Eley, who has lived in Dutton Close for more than 30 years, said: "We were really pleased with the turnout for our latest protest outside AR Richards on Tuesday night.

"There were people missing who were away or had to work but many of the area's children came to the protest to show how they will be affected. We are now thinking of other protests we can do. We want to keep on the pressure and make our views known.

"This application has meant the whole community has come together to fight it. We are so worried that the health of our children will be damaged if this application is passed."

The residents also recently launched a petition against the application which has now gained more than 100 signatures.

Plans for the development have been submitted to Shropshire Council and include the construction of the recycling plant, erection of soundproof fencing and a nine-bay storage area. The plant would deal with more than 180,000 tonnes of rubbish per year. It would receive rubbish such as glass, garden waste, farm waste, clothes and asbestos and turn them into recyclable materials.

However, those behind the plans say regular inspections would be carried out, and would have "extensive and effective "pollution control measures".

The site was formerly a World War Two depot, as part of RAF Ternhill, and in recent years has been a potato packing plant owned and operated by Greenvale AP Ltd.

Greenvale AP closed its Shropshire operation in 2014, resulting in the loss of 190 jobs. The business said that having the site was no longer sustainable.

The site was purchased by AR Richards in October 2014 and currently the company just uses the offices on site. The company said the site is needed in order to divert waste from landfill and to be able to recover waste from planned construction within the local area. They say the plan would employ 55 staff within the first two years, rising to 70 after six years.

Nobody from AR Richards was available for comment.