Blow for compost plant camapigners

From the The Argus, first published Thursday 22nd Mar 2007.

Ministers have rejected calls to investigate proposals for a composting factory.

In December, East Sussex County Council said the development by Chiddingly, near Hailsham, could go ahead subject to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly, not wishing to decide the application herself.

She has written to the council to say she will not intervene.

Residents of Chiddingly and the local parish council are opposed to the plans to build a composting factory.

The plant would cover an area the size of two football pitches and be 15m high.

Villagers are concerned about an expected increase in traffic and unpleasant smells.

Veolia Environmental Services, the company behind the plant, said the processing plant would regenerate the site and that operations would be completely enclosed.

The company has promised to provide a habitat for wildlife and a new area of woodland nearby.

The site will be capable of recycling up to 46,000 tonnes of green household waste a year.

The plans include a composting building, an external wood chipping area, and a separate office and educational visitors' centre, with car parking for 20 vehicles including disabled driver bays.

It will be used by Veolia to compost waste principally from Household Waste Recycling Sites and kerbside collections.

To view a copy of the decision by the Secretary of State visit eastsussex.gov.uk/planning and follow the link for 'Latest' at the top of the page.

The facility will be one of five being provided by Veolia to handle waste across East Sussex.

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