Council officers call for controversial waste plant plans to be thrown out

Dudley Council's planning team has said the facility in land off Moor Street could send odours over homes located just 65ft away.

In a detailed 80-page report to councillors, the team recommended Clean Power's proposal be refused when they meet for a decision next week.

The report comes after almost 900 letters of objection were received, with issues ranging from increased traffic to noise coming from the plant.

The proposal is the firm's second attempt to win planning approval for the scheme after an initial proposal was refused last year.

The company say the plant could turn 195,000 tons of waste into electricity each year. Bosses say the facility would provide 30 jobs.

In the report to councillors, officers acknowledged the proposal would 'go a significant way' to addressing a shortfall in waste management plants.

But they said the plant would lead to an increased risk in annoyance to people living nearby due to potential odours.

The report said: "These risks of loss of amenity and subsequent odour complaints are sufficiently high that the proposed site is considered inappropriate for the development."

The company claimed it had addressed concerns over odour from its last planning application, adding air locks to the building entrances.

However, the planning officers said the firm had failed to demonstrate the control of emissions was sufficient.

Last month, the Environment Agency submitted an objection to the plan. It said the location was unsuitable with housing so nearby.

It also raised fears over the potential for complaints over odour and dust from the site, which would include two organic waste digestion tanks.

The site was a former railway terminal, but has since been cleared.

Campaign group The Say No To Waste was formed when plans were first lodged for the plant.

Spokesman Tim Lee said: "This is a very comprehensive report by the council into the planning application.

"Of course, we are pleased with the recommendation, but we know the decision is yet to be made by the councillors.

"We plan to attend the meeting in good number and hopefully address councillors before the decision."

He added: "If it is refused, we hope Clean Power take the view that this is an unsuitable place for a waste plant.

"There are homes too close to the site, and we think the risk of odours is too high. There is also the increased traffic on our roads to consider."

As well as a planning application, Clean Power is also waiting on a decision for an environmental permit application to run the plant.