Pebsham waste transfer plans

The controversial application to convert the derelict former Reprotech waste-derived fuel pellet plant on Freshfields Road, St Leonards, is being dealt with as a county council planning matter on January 18.

But Rother is being invited to submit its comments.

Rother chief planning officer Frank Rallings adds conditions to his suggestion that Rother should raise no objection.

If his ideas are accepted at Thursday's 9.30am meeting in public, the committee would add:

*Subject to the counting planning authority being satisfied that there will be no net increase of traffic movements on Bexhill Road

*Subject to the county planning authority being satisfied that there will be no adverse effects on local residents by reason of traffic disturbance or other noise of air quality

He adds: "However, the district council has serious concerns in relation to seven-day working on the site.

"The proposal is to change the use of the building from a waste treatment plant to a waste and recyclables transfer station, depot and ancillary uses."

Councillors will be advised that the proposal involves "no material change to the site layout and physical form of the buildings, except that the 40-metre circular steel chimney will no longer be required and if permission is granted and if permission is granted, will be removed.

"Within the site, the present waste reception and processing areas will become the main waste and recyclables transfer area with the present covered storage area on the south side of the main building becoming the depot and container storage area.

"This depot will include the parking of 40 refuse vehicles at the site overnight.

"Externally, the workshop, offices, shower/messroom buildings and the weighbridges will remain unchanged."

Opposing the scheme in general would be impractical. The principle that the site should become a waste transfer station was - despite local objection - set out in the county waste plan.

But the area is also zoned in the Local Plan for the proposed Pebsham Countryside Park, covering the nearby landfill site, once "restored."

The plan identifies the issues at Pebsham. It says traffic - particularly the generation of additional traffic - would require careful consideration.

"Any net increase in traffic would be unacceptable at least until measures have been implemented to relieve congestion on the A259.

"Perpetuation of waste management uses gives rise to local amenity issues and concerns. Impact on adjoining residential areas (Pebsham, Bulverhythe) requires careful examination. Any development which would cause nuisance such as odour, noise, litter at these areas would be unacceptable.

"Landscape impact of any further development would require careful consideration especially having regard to the proposed countryside park."