Four villages are in uproar over proposals for a green waste composting operation based off the busy A49 between Hereford and Leominster.
At a packed public meeting in Moreton-on-Lugg this week, more than 100 people voiced concerns about plans by Mercia Waste Management for a waste facility with claims that it would harbour “smell, litter and enormous quantities of plastic”.
Protesters believe the proposal has health implications and road safety issues, and claim that HGVs would be turning off the busy A49 “every four minutes”.
They argue that more than 800 people will be affected within the parishes of Moreton-on-Lugg, Burghill, Wellington, Lyde and Arundel if plans go ahead.
There are also worries that the current proposals for handling between seven and 12,000 tons of green waste a year could change when the company’s Pershore composting site, dealing with an annual 25,000 tons, closes in two years’ time. A site visit has been organised in the Moreton-on-Lugg area on Tuesday morning, and the application comes before Herefordshire Council’s planning committee next month.
Adrian Spong told the Journal that the proposed “open windrow” composting facility would be next to his campsite at Cuckoo’s Corner, Moreton-on-Lugg.
“There was a lot of feeling at an absolutely packed meeting in Moreton-on-Lugg this week,” he said.
Those opposed to the application are putting forward suggestions for an enclosed ‘in-vessel’ composting operation on a brown field site.
Anxieties about possible health issues at Moreton-on-Lugg have prompted demands for further studies to establish the effects of spore counts and dust emissions.
Said Mr Spong: “This proposal covers four acres of arable farmland including 2.4 acres of concrete.
“It’s a waste facility with all the smell, litter and an enormous amount of plastic.
“There will also be the visual aspect of slag heaps and an incredible road safety issue with HGVs pulling straight off a 60mph road which is going to lead to a serious accident.”
Villagers in Burghill gave a thumbs down at their recent public meeting, and villagers at Wellington will express their views this Friday.
Marketing director for Severn Waste Services, Ian Barker, said: “In advance of our application we held a two-day exhibition attended by between 80-100 people at Moreton village hall to outline proposals.” Protesters’ concerns had been effectively answered in a series of technical studies, he said.
Mr Barker firmly denied that Pershore’s composting operation was to cease.
