Newhaven chimney stack extension approved

The asphalt plant chimney is to be extended by 20m

Planners have approved a request to extend the chimney of an industrial plant, in a move officers said would help address complaints around its odour.

On Wednesday, East Sussex County Council’s planning committee approved a 20m (65ft) extension to a chimney stack at an asphalt plant operated by FM Conway in North Quay Road, Newhaven.

Some members of the public had objected to the proposal.

They called for a more comprehensive scheme, including better filtration systems.

Local resident Marek Palme told the meeting: “This seems to be the wrong priority. The pollutants that previously would have settled on the site and industrial estate are dispersed over residential areas instead.

"The plant should never have been allowed to operate with simple back-filtration, as it is only filtering dust and not the toxic chemicals and odours.”

George Massingham, representing the plant's owners FM Conway, said: “Emissions from the site are entirely compliant with the terms of the environmental permit, but this application has been submitted to address complaints made by local residents.

“The proposal is directly as a consequence of complaints made by local residents concerning odour and the proposed stack extension is the most effective solution to address these matters.”

The existing stack is already 20m tall from ground level.

The extension would result in a final height of 40m (131ft) from ground level.

Planning officers said this extension would not be out of keeping with the area due to its industrial surroundings.

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