Residents kick up a stink over composting plans (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Residents kick up a stink over composting plans

PLANS for a composting site near Fairford have met with overwhelming objection from residents all over the South Cotswolds.

Agricultural Supplies (Fairford) Limited, based at Sunhill, is hoping to expand its mushroom plant to handle green and mixed organic waste.

The company would be contracted by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) to process the rubbish, and it is GCC that will be deciding the application.

However, the only local council to have been formally consulted on the development was Meysey Hapton Parish Council, even though residents throughout the South Cotswolds have voiced concerns over hygiene and traffic issues.

In fact, around 150 people attended a meeting in Quenington last Tuesday to meet with John Clay, the managing director of the agricultural company.

Chairman of Quenington Parish Council Arthur Mitchell said: "The application was signed and dated November 14, but we were not notified until just 14 days ago.

"We feel we need to marshal expert advice and we want the county council to delay the application to allow us to get more credible information."

Mr Clay explained to residents how his current facilities would be transformed to cope with thousands of lorry loads of organic waste.

He said: "We have nothing to hide, but I don't expect to make any friends tonight and I would like to apologise for having upset you all.

"I am a composter, not a planning expert, but I hope to fill you in on exactly what we plan to do at the site."

Some residents of Sunhill are particularly concerned about the smell that might be created by the waste material.

Others are worried the plant may be used to process waste from outside the county in order the make the operation more economically viable.

But Mr Clay was quick to allay such fears. He said: "We will only be handling Gloucestershire's waste that is designated by the county council. It's eight percent of Gloucestershire's waste, but it will be only your waste."

The final waste product would be sold to local farmers as a compost, but the primary income for the company would be from the county council.

GCC will make a decision on the planning application on Thursday, February 10.