TIPPING POINT
New waste recycling centre, branded ‘anti-social’ by MP, given green light
Highly contentious plans for a waste recycling centre have been given the go-ahead – despite fierce opposition from hundreds of homeowners and MP Helen Grant.
The plant at Allington, which will operate from 7am to 8pm seven days a week, was branded ‘anti-social’ by the borough MP, pictured. Gridlock is also feared around the already heavily-congested Coldharbour roundabout off Junction 5 of the M20 and Hermitage Lane – which is also lined up to take a further 840 homes.
Kent County Council universally backed the application, which is anticipated to largely serve Tonbridge and Malling residents as well as those in west Maidstone.
It is, however, considered good news for some in the borough, with Tovil tip expected to see a drop in demand and relief from ongoing traffic issues.
Contentious plans to build a recycling centre on the border of Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling have been given the green light.
FCC Environment (UK) Ltd’s proposal to develop the incinerator at the 20/20 Business Estate, off Laverstocke Road, Allington, was universally backed by Kent County Council’s (KCC) planning committee last week.
The plans will see 22 recycling container bays built, despite strong opposition from hundreds of residents. Maidstone and Weald MP Helen Grant told KCC the 13-hour operating levels, which run from 7am to 8pm seven days a week except Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, are “highly anti-social”.
She also cited fears there will be further gridlock for homeowners near the A20 Coldharbour roundabout. However, supporters have said there is clear demand for a waste recycling centre, with the firm saying it is providing an “urgently” needed site, as well as bringing 10 new jobs to the area.
Malling county councillor Cllr Harry Rayner (Con), a KCC planning committee member, said: “There is no question that the people of Tonbridge and Malling have waited for this for a quarter of a century.”
Around 58 car spaces will be provided but the applicant says staff will be able to manage queues of up to 100 cars. The main bone of contention around the plans has been over substantial traffic fears, particularly in light of plans to build 840 homes behind the police building on the Gladmans site near Hermitage Lane at the A20 Coldharbour roundabout.
Many of these views were expressed by 379 people in a petition submitted to KCC. During the meeting, Maidstone county councillor Rob Bird (Lib Dem), who represents Allington said he largely supported the move, describing it as a modern, functioning centre rather than a “tip”. He said some Malling residents currently have to travel as far as Medway and Tunbridge Wells to the nearest reycling centre. He added: “We have been lobbying for a facility in this area for many years.”