Over 1,000 object to expansion plan by animal waste company

Councillors are being asked to consider plans by the Leo Group for construction works at the company plant at a former quarry at Swales Moor Road at Boothtown, Halifax.

A fire in May caused substantial damage to the waste transfer building and surrounding buildings and the company is now seeking permission to make changes to plans it was granted by Calderdale Council a month before the blaze.

The company now wants to amend previous planning permission to replace and upgrade buildings on the site.

Objectors have raised several complaints, particularly about the smell from lorries using the site.

A report by the council’s head of planning Geoff Willerton outlines the objections, including complaints that lorries have spilled animal by-products on roads.

Residents in Queensbury have also complained about the smell given off by passing lorries.

Critics say the planned extensions and new buildings are not in keeping with the visual character of the area.

Objectors say that spillages have not been adequately dealt with.

The planning report says: “The most important issue, as far as objectors are concerned, is the disamenity created by the lorries travelling between Swales Moor and the associated site at Erlings Works, Jerusalem Farm, Denholme, Bradford.

“A facility which could be used to ensure lorries are properly checked in terms of security of load to avoid spillages and sealing where possible to avoid odour emission, can only have a positive effect on residential amenity.

“While the enforcement of driver behaviour on the roads, in terms of securing loads and the use of lawfully maintained vehicles is not a planning issue, any benefits which the operator might provide in this context can only be welcomed by the local planning authority and the residents of Queensbury alike.”

The report says that there are special circumstances which lend weight to the argument that the plans should be granted even though the site is green belt.

“The very special circumstances argument relates to the site as a whole and can be demonstrated in economic and environmental terms.

“It also relates to the other extensions, replacements and upgrades which constitute this application.

“Economically, the site provides jobs for over 150 people and is considered to be significant in terms of their positive benefits to the local economy.

“The Business Environment team leader on the previous application points out that there is no alternative location within Calderdale, allocated for employment use, which would be appropriate to house this particular business.”

The report notes that the principle of the development has already been clearly established with the granting of permission for the last two applications.

Most of the letters of objection referred to either smells from lorries and spills of decaying animal waste, or the disturbance caused by lorries in the night.

The report adds: “These issues have already been explored in the previous applications and it is considered that given the recent approvals, no significant changes have taken place which could justify reasons for refusal of this scheme which is basically for replacement and re-orientation of existing buildings and approved buildings.”

When the Leo Group announced the investment plans last year the company said it was spending £4m on the Boothtown operation.

The company said that 100 per cent of the food waste it dealt with was re-used in some way, which reduced the burden on landfill sites.

The planning committee meets on Tuesday, September 20.