Planners back bid for trailers shed at animal waste plant

Omega Proteins Ltd wants to develop the single-storey building to form a shed for the trailers at Erlings Works, Half Acre Road, Thornton, which is in the green belt but already has a number of existing buildings.

The bid, which has been given planning permission from the Shipley Area Planning Panel, has met with widespread opposition.

But Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee will be advised to back the scheme when it meets today.

A report to be considered by the committee says: “It is considered that the proposal is acceptable in terms of sustainability issues, contributing positively to the rural economy and towards the sustainable management of waste.”

Bradford Council has received 70 representations from people with concerns or who have objected to the proposal, including one from a local MP and three from ward councillors.

Critics have claimed the building would amount to “unacceptable massive industrial expansion in the green belt”.

There are also concerns that a concentrated storage of waste would cause an increase in smells from the site and noisy trailer shunting would increase noise pollution.

Critics have claimed the building is a means of increasing the volume of animal waste being stored and transported through the area and that it will lead to more vehicle movements and traffic congestion.

Denholme Town Council has raised concerns about a potential increase in noise.

The rendering plant, which lies in a predominantly agricultural area, processes animal by-product waste, including fallen stock, carcasses and catering waste.

According to a report considered by the Shipley Area Planning Panel earlier this month, Omega Proteins Ltd has stated that capacity to store 12 trailers is needed for two reasons.

“Firstly, because of the restriction on the numbers and hours of movements of heavy goods vehicles, there need to be a number of filled trailers waiting to tip their load if the plant is to continue running throughout the night,” it said.

“Secondly, to take account of potential problems in operation of the plant which may lead to the build up of material waiting on site which cannot be processed because of a blockage, breakdown or some other abnormality which restricts or prevents processing.”

The footprint of the shed is larger than envisaged, measuring 868 square metres.

The report said that the building “is effectively an ancillary building to support an existing waste facility in a rural area.

“The applicant states that the existing facilities support the rural economy through the meat and farming industries, and the proposed building would assist in the effective and efficient running of the site.”

The waste facility has recently been granted permission to increase the heavy goods vehicle movements.

The report stated that concerns by residents of additional heavy goods vehicle movements being created by the proposed shed are unfounded.

It pointed out that, although the applicant had supplied some information on the management of the trailers, it was not clear how it would be ensured that the noise and odours are kept to a minimum.

It suggested that a condition is attached so that before the shed is brought into use, a management plan is submitted to show how the trailers will be managed to ensure that noise and odour are minimised.

If the Regulatory and Appeals Committee backs the application, it must be referred to the Secretary of Sate, who could decide to call it in for his own determination.

If the Secretary of State does not wish to intervene, planning permission can be granted.