Officers backing rubbish plant bid near Market Drayton

The proposal hopes to turn the former Greenvale AP site in Warrant Road, Stoke Heath, into a material recovery facility dealing with more than 187,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.

Shropshire Council planning officers have today recommended the plans for approval ahead of a meeting of the council's north planning committee next week.

The specialised plant would receive rubbish such as glass, garden waste, farm waste, clothes and asbestos and turn them into recyclable materials.

applicant, Market Drayton-based AR Richards, said the waste processed at the site would be primarily from agriculture, construction and domestic sources and all of the waste would be recycled with none being sent to landfill.

But residents have raised their concerns over noise and environmental worries about the plans.

Councillors are due to discuss the application next week. It has received 56 objections from the public as well as an objection from the nearby Maurice Chandler Sports Centre.

Stoke upon Tern Parish Council has also lodged objections because of concerns about traffic, noise and pollution, public heath and operating hours.

In addition Shropshire Campaign to Protect Rural England supported the objections because 'the site is very close to established housing and alongside a recreational facility is entirely inappropriate and unsuitable.'

But Shropshire Council case officer Kelvin Hall said it would "enable waste materials to be used beneficially, enabling their reuse in a sustainable manner".

"The proposal would be sited on land previously used for storage and industrial use, and officers consider that this is an appropriate type of site for waste management use in principle.

"The proposal would bring back into re-use land and buildings that are currently under-utilised, and would use existing infrastructure at the site, including roadways and a drainage system, which officers consider is satisfactory for the proposed activities.

"The proposed operations to be undertaken include the shredding and composting of green waste, and the crushing and screening of inert wastes. These operations have the potential to adversely affect residential amenity, particularly in view of the proximity of the site to residential areas.

He said: "The concerns raised by the parish council and local residents are fully acknowledged.

"However officers consider that satisfactory provision has been made in the design of the facility to ensure that adverse impacts on residential amenity would not arise.

"An environmental permit has been issued for the proposed operation by the Environment Agency.

"The EA have confirmed that, in issuing the permit, they are satisfied that there would be no significant pollution of the environment or harm to human health."

Protesters have put up more signs againt the scheme.

Residents in Dutton Close, Stoke Heath, near Market Drayton, made placards to display in the area in protest against the scheme planned for the nearby former Greenvale AP site.

Initial placards were taken down so residents have put up new signs in the area.

The waste site proposal has sparked opposition from residents and councillors who are concerned about possible pollution and toxic waste from the site, which they fear could cause health problems.

Wendy Eley, who has lived in Dutton Close for more than 30 years, said: "A few of Dutton Close residents have put out more signs across from the AR Richards site.

"We have done this because the first protest signs have been stolen. The residents are showing they will not give up. This is not the right place to have a material recovery facility.

Noise

"Anyone can look up on the internet and it states there is one fire per day at these sites. Also we have major concerns about the noise and smell plus more traffic pollution. We have human rights to clean air."

More than 50 residents took part in two protests last month. They also have a petition which has more than 100 signatures.

The nearest homes are about 35 metres from the application site boundary and approximately 132 metres from the nearest area within the site to be used for waste management operations.

In February, planning permission was granted for an additional 25 homes to be built on land to the south of Dutton Close, approximately 160 metres away from the proposed operational area.

In addition, planning permission was granted in May for up to 38 homes on land at Stoke Heath Camp, Warrant Road.

This site lies about 470 metres to the south of the proposed waste recycling site.

The proposed development includes the recycling plant, soundproof fencing and a nine-bay storage area.

The plant would deal with more than 180,000 tons of rubbish a year. It would take items such as glass, garden waste, farm waste, clothes and asbestos and turn them into recyclable materials. Those behind the scheme said the site already benefits from "extensive and effective" pollution control to help reduce environmental impacts.

The application will be discussed at a meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee on Tuesday at Shirehall, starting at 2pm.