Residents not consulted over waste centre plan

From the archive, first published Monday 23rd Apr 2007.

RESIDENTS living about a mile from where planned waste treatment centre say they knew nothing about the plans, despite lengthy consultations.

Essex County Council approved plans for recycling and composting centre at Rivenhall Airfield last month, subject to it being called in by the secretary of state.

But Mike Appleton, who lives in one of three properties at Whites Hill Farm, just outside Bradwell, only discovered last week that an application had been made after stumbling across an old planning notice while on an afternoon walk near the airfield.

Mr Appleton, who has lived on the farm for two years, said: "We would have expected something, even if it was only a note to say it has happened."

But Essex County Council and Golder Associates - the agents for the applicant - said they had carried out consultations within policy regulations and Whites Hill Farm was outside of the required boundary.

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for full story.