Waste plant scheme in Brierley Hill is thrown out
Plans for a waste recycling plant in Brierley Hill have been thrown out by planning bosses – to the delight of campaigners who had fought to get the scheme scrapped.
Members of Dudley Council's development control committee voted to reject Clean Power Properties' scheme for the plant on disused land off Moor Street last night.
It took councillors less than an hour to refuse the planning application on the grounds that the facility would disrupt people living nearby with increased traffic and smell.
The decision was made despite the Environment Agency not objecting against the plant in favour of stringent conditions laid down on operations.
Committee chairman Councillor Qadar Zada said: "I can see why a development like this would be beneficial. What I can't see is how it would be beneficial to the people of Brierley Hill."
Earlier in the meeting, committee members heard from resident Tim Lee, 63, of Seagers Lane, who opposed the application. He said the area was in 'danger of becoming the waste dump of the West Midlands'.
Dr Nick Davey, director of environmental consultancy firm Entran, spoke in support of the proposal, claiming tightly sealed containers and fast-acting recycling processes would prevent odour spreading to homes.
He said: "It is clear to me that the facility has been designed from the outset to ensure no impact on local amenity."
Councillor Ken Turner raised concerns over increased traffic, which would have resulted in 60 lorry deliveries of waste a day.
"I'd be worried about the increased traffic and the children going to school," he said.
Campaigners who watched the vote cheered as the decision was made.
Clean Power today said they 'very disappointed' by the council decision.
