More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Lots of objection letters have been sent to Kent County Council over a proposal to revamp a recycling centre.
Around 194 residents in Swale have voiced their opposition towards plans to redevelop the existing recycling centre in Faversham, where many buildings have fallen into disrepair.
East Kent Recycling, which owns the site, has been criticised for the potential damage caused to the environment if the scheme goes ahead, mainly citing an increase in air pollution, as well as additional noise and traffic.
Despite the strong opposition to the proposal at Oare Creek, elected members at Kent County Council have been advised to approve the application during a public meeting next week.
The site forms part of a small industrial complex where many of the buildings are derelict or in disrepair. It also has an office shed, concrete yard and disused two-storey building.
The original operators in the 1990s used Oare Creek for waste disposal activities.
However, the industrial area fell dormant for several years before the current owners, East Kent Recycling, bought the site in 2013.
East Kent Recycling's latest plan, if approved, will see the creation of a new waste reception building as well as the refurbishment of an existing derelict building for office use. It will also see the creation of accommodation for night watchmen.
The current application is a resubmission of a withdrawn application made by East Kent Recycling in 2017.
One of the major changes to the original proposal includes a reduction in the proposed number of HGV visits scheduled for each day, decreasing from 160 to 80.
A total of 19 people are employed at the site with the proposed development expected to create two new positions.
Swale Borough Council is one of several public bodies, including Faversham Town Council, to object to the proposal due to concerns of increased pollution levels.
It has raised safety issues surrounding increased lorry activity as well as the noise impact on neighbouring communities.
Just three letters of support were sent by Swale residents. They said additional waste processing capacity was needed in the area and it would create more jobs.
No objections have been raised by the Environment Agency, Natural England, Kent County Council's air quality consultants, Kent County Council noise consultants or authority's biodiversity officer.
Elected members at Kent County Council will determine the outcome of the planning application at Maidstone County Hall on Wednesday from 10am.
