MP joins 1,000 residents in opposing waste site
MORE THAN 1,000 objections have been made over three planning applications seeking to expand the largest waste site of its kind in Yorkshire.
Plans for a standby gas generation unit, 24/7 internal operation and an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, processing 100,000 tonnes of waste, at the Transwaste site in Gibson Lane, Melton, go before East Riding Council’s planning committee on Thursday.
The three follow on the heels of plans for an Energy from Waste plant, approved in July, which will process 250,000 tonnes of household waste.
Residents have made 1,165 objections in total. David Davis MP, who also commented, said residents were “already subject to disturbance, dreadful smells and have often raised concerns that the current planning permission is frequently breached.”
Ward councillors Julie Abraham and Vanessa Walker, who will represent residents of North Ferriby, Melton and Welton at the meeting, have questioned why there is no masterplan for the huge site which will be able to process 750,000 tonnes of waste a year – over 2,000 tonnes of waste a day.
Coun Abraham said: “Residents are concerned about the cumulative impact of these four planning applications combined and particularly on the amount of noise, odour and emissions that may result.”
She said they do not believe that the amount of waste can possibly be produced locally, and the site will actually handle waste for large areas of the UK.
As the A63 already has the highest level of nitrogen dioxide in the East Riding. Coun Walker said efforts should be made to improve air quality – not add to the problem.
The first application is recommended for deferral for a positive response from the Health and Safety Executive, then approval, with the others recommended for approval. On the AD plant, officers state that it is supported by statutory consultees and accords with national policy and the development plan.