Residents opposed to a firm storing artificial turf in farm buildings fear a potential fire risk, traffic hazards and are worried about smell.
But councillors have given the go-ahead to a planning application for the change of use of a former mushroom farm at Roman Bank, Sutton Crosses, subject to safeguards on the amount of artificial turf stored and where it is stored.
Applicant J Salvadori wants to use the artificial turf to line hanging baskets.
Residents sent 24 letters of objection to the council, voicing concerns over issues including:
* Additional traffic on a single track road will pose a danger to other vehicles and pedestrians
* The road is not suitable for HGVs
* nThe plan will create hazardous waste
* Materials are flammable, posing a risk of fire and harmful fumes
Residential objector Aeron Lennox had three minutes to voice his concerns before South Holland’s planning committee debated the plan on Wednesday.
He said the former mushroom site was unsuitable for the proposed business and it would “negatively impact on the amenity of the residents”.
Mr Lennox said there were poor links to public transport, making car journeys necessary for residents, and it was a narrow pot-holed road that floods.
“I think the levels of traffic here would be unacceptable,” he said. “We worry about the smell, fire risk and any and every environmental impacts from this waste material.”
But the highways authority raised no objection, saying the vehicle movements would be little different from the mushroom farm, and councillors decided to meet the concerns over fire safety and smell by seeking assurances from the applicant on the volume of material stored – and its precise location on site.
Coun David Wilkinson told the committee: “It’s a very narrow lane and they don’t want any traffic going down there unnecessarily.
“I would not like to see vast amounts of this stuff being stored there.”