A CONTROVERSIAL tyre sorting and bailing plant in Sutterton is to go ahead after a planning inspector swept aside villagers’ concerns.
Envirotyre UK Ltd had an application to change the use of a haulage yard at Reed Point turned down by Lincolnshire County Council last November, but the decision was overturned after the company appealed.
The county council’s decision to refuse the application had been based on concerns of fire risk, contamination and a potential adverse impact in nearby homes, as well as highways issues.
The plans had been opposed by Boston Borough Council and more than 200 villagers living near the proposed site handed over a petition signalling their opposition to it.
But planning inspector Keri Williams ruled in Envirotyre’s favour on appeal, stating in a written report that in his view the “material effect” on nearby homes would “not be sufficient to be unacceptable”.
He noted that the development would generate similar levels of lorry traffic to the haulage operation previously run from the site.
He conceded that some noise and disturbance was likely but pointed out that hydraulic bailers were “relatively quiet” and conditions could be placed on planning permission that would mitigate the potential for disruption to residents.
But on the grounds of fire risk and pollution matters Mr Williams noted that neither the Environment Agency or Anglian Water, which runs a drinking water reservoir close to the site, had objected to the plan.
He said a call from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue for an appropriate strategy to be in place to deal with any fire could also be dealt with through planning conditions,
Mr Williams added that the development could “contribute to the reduction, recycling and sustainable treatment of waste”.