Residents object to recycling site expansion plans

Firefighters from Suffolk and Essex attended a large fire caused by a discarded battery at the sackers' site last month

At least 30 people have objected to plans to expand a recycling yard, which has seen three serious fires.

In the latest incident, more than 80 firefighters attended the blaze at Sackers recycling centre in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, on 8 August, which was caused by a discarded battery.

The centre has since submitted a planning application to Suffolk County Council which it also hoped would reduce the risk of large fires in the future.

After the latest fire, David Dodds, chief executive at Sackers, said there would be "further investment" into firefighting equipment at the site.

In a planning application, the centre said it wanted to extend the site but would not increase the amount of materials stored there.

Instead, it hoped to create smaller heaps of stored materials which it said would result in a "far lower risk" of large fires.

But Sadie Ewers, who has lodged an objection to the expansion, was unconvinced.

She told the BBC she feared any extension would "put our lives and that of our children in danger".

"Sackers are not completing due diligence and following their permit and Fire Prevention Plan," she said.

"They do not have adequate accepting, sorting or storage of waste. They know loads will contain batteries, they shrug off the responsibility and blame others.

"They promised residents 18 months ago to install on site sprinkler systems, this has not happened."

The fire service has also recommended sprinklers in its comments on the latest planning application.

Another resident, Susan Ogbourne told the BBC her 11-year-old son had been "emotionally affected by the fires and loud noises".

"He understands what Sackers does, but doesn’t understand why they can’t ‘do better’ and I have to say I completely agree with him," she said.

By expanding, the scrap metal yard hoped there would be a "far lower risk" of large fires breaking out

Mr Dodds previously told BBC Radio Suffolk the company had "invested a lot of money" in safety procedures.

The chief executive said the company would "continue to improve" and invest in fire safety equipment, including thermal imaging fire retention equipment.

The planning application can be commented on until 17 September.