Residents’ worries increase over coke plant plan

Doncaster-based Recycoal has applied for permission to dig up the former Hesley Wood tip near Chapeltown, Sheffield, but a residents group has been set up.

Yesterday, Chris Sumner, who lives on Woodburn Drive, one of the roads nearest the project, said he and neighbours were shocked by the company’s plans.

Mr Sumner, 65, said: “We know that Recycoal have carried out projects like this elsewhere, but they have never done one so close to people’s homes.

“The plans which have been submitted to Sheffield Council show that they will be operating right behind houses on out estate, which has left residents worried.

“We are extremely concerned about the impact of noise and dust, and what will happen once the company has dug out the coal and disappears.”

Recycoal recently started a project to reclaim coal from the tip at the former Rossington colliery near Doncaster, and has also carried out projects in Rotherham and Barnsley.

Yesterday a spokesman said: “RecyCoal is aware of some local objection to its planning application for the reclamation of the Hesley Wood spoil heap.

“The project, which has been subjected to a full environmental impact assessment, will deliver real long term benefits for local people through the provision of a very high quality landscape on completion of the project.