Council to debate 'ill-conceived' waste site plan

The parish council is set to meet to discuss the application later

A planning application for a new recycling facility near a village in Cornwall has received more than 120 objections.

Gwinear-Gwithian Parish Council will meet to discuss the plans for the wood and green waste centre at Roseworthy Hill near Connor Downs later.

"Loss of countryside, smell, contamination of nearby waterways and noise" were among the reasons cited by local residents as to why they felt it should be refused, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In a planning statement, The Green Waste Company said the new site would "greatly improve the current services".

'Immediate and safe'

The company currently has two recycling sites at Higher Brynn, near Victoria, and Splattenridden Farm, near St Erth.

The firm said: "Currently, Splattenridden receives green waste from five council-run Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) sites.

"For reasons of logistics and capacity, it is proposed that, apart from the St Erth HRWC and Penzance Town Council sources, all other waste would be sent to the proposal site at Roseworthy.

"This would greatly improve the current services provided by the Green Waste Company and, importantly, will greatly reduce miles travelled every year transporting the waste.

"The proposed site is conveniently located on low-grade agricultural land owned by the applicant.

"It has immediate and safe highway access."

'Totally irresponsible'

More than 120 people had raised concerns on Cornwall Council's online planning portal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

One objection stated the installation of a waste recycling plant was "totally irresponsible and ill-conceived."

It added: "Chemicals which develop through the waste recycling will leach through the soil spreading toxic chemicals, once this occurs the land will be destroyed for decades."

Councillor Lionel Pascoe, who represents Gwinear Gwithian and Hayle East, said the plan was "causing quite a stir in the area" but the matter had to go to a parish council decision.