The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Plans for an asphalt plant in Sutton Bridge could see legal action if a full screening exercise is not carried out.
A resident is warning that the result of a court case ten years ago could have an impact on plans to create the new plant on Greenworld Park.
The application has been submitted to South Holland District Council on behalf of Franklin Bros Ltd, and would see the plant on part of the Nene Transport (Lincs) site.
But resident Craig Jackson is fighting the application and says the impact on air quality and the site’s proximity to homes should mean it doesn’t go ahead.
He has contacted the district council requesting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be carried out – and has warned about potential legal action if it’s not done.
Mr Jackson was among protestors against the building of a proposed incinerator ten years ago.
The application was originally approved, but a Judicial Review in the High Court quashed it in May 2014.
“It would be prudent to warn the council that a similar court challenge would be initiated if an EIA is not conducted.
“In this respect we would seek to instruct the same legal team for this application,” he says in a letter to the council.
The plan involves stationing a semi-mobile asphalt plant on the site, with temporary fence and gates for security. An array of ‘plant and machinery, together with aggregate storage bays make up the installation.
“Following the recent closure of Bakkavor, there is an opportunity to access a skilled workforce proficient in plant operations, facility management and engineering. This resource pool could be instrumental in ensuring the effective operation and maintenance of the proposed manufacturing facility,” says the application
The applicant also adds that potential future demand supported by Nene Transport Haulage, will require the expansion of an ‘existing workforce.’
“The maintenance of Lincolnshire’s highways is vital to ensure the continued growth in the local economy,” the application adds.
Aggregate and additives could be brought to the site, stored in open storage bays and silos, and then mixed together to produce asphalt which is then taken from the site, to order, for use in highway maintenance and construction around the area.
The application includes a ‘noise assessment, air quality assessment and odour assessment in support.’
It shows no potential adverse effects and says the machinery and plant would be ‘sheeted’ by the applicant to prevent both noise and dust leaving the site.
But the data has been questioned by Mr Jackson who also points out The Wash is a European Marine Site and a Special Area of Conservation.
“Many of the issues challenged in the High Court were, and are, also applicable to this application,” he added.
A response from the district council says the application was only received on June 12 and it was still at the validation stage, and there had not been time for screening.
