Stourbridge waste site plan rejected over pollution fears

The application for Bromley Street, in Lye, would have seen the storage of skips, plant and shipping containers including a weighbridge.

A bunker would have been used for the storage of soil, hardcore and green waste alongside the existing main building being used as the drop off, transfer and sorting area.

It comes as letters of concern were received from neighbours in fear of it being unsafe and an increase in vermin. The plans were submitted two years ago.

The plans were refused because the site could potentially pollute the water of the nearby River Stour, a report published by Dudley Council said.

The report said: "The proposed use as a waste transfer station is considered to have the potential to cause harm to the adjoining water course due to the inherent nature of the operation."

Council planners noted that there were no plans outlined as to how surface drainage would be provided or controlled.

Businesses along Bromley Street wrote letters of concern to Dudley Council.

Phil Jones and Richard Huggins, who own A&PJ Steels Limited, voiced their reasons for opposition in a letter, which stated: "Waste products and the increase of vermin; we have experienced a substantial increase in vermin in the past two years."

They also highlighted how the road would not be able to cope with the increased traffic.

Robert Bache, who owns Bache Pallets along the road, said in a letter: "We are concerned that the building could be a hazard for ourselves if it was used for gas storage."

Mark Watson, who owns Watsons Metal Polishers Limited, said: "The whole area around is unstable. Our factory shakes with passing lorries and adding more vehicle access would cause more disruption problems.

"The ground around here is very unstable and the unit which they want to convert has partially fallen down due to subsidence."

Helen Martin, chief officer regeneration and enterprise, said the application was rejected 'for environmental reasons'. She said: "The application site is located close to the River Stour and we considered that the proposed use of the site as a waste transfer station had the potential to cause harm to the adjoining water course." The application was submitted by Nicklin Waste Management Limited. No-one was available for comment.