The council originally granted the site permission to increase in size in 2006, but said the site could only expand for a period of three years – until 2009.
Oxfordshire-based firm Grundon lodged a planning appeal after the councils decision not to allow an increase in capacity permanently. It said the temporary expansion required “significant investment” and it needed to be certain the investment would be worthwhile.
Following a three day public inquiry, and after testimony from a number of expert witnesses, the planning inspector has ruled in favour of Grundon and gave it permission to expand the site permanently.
The inspector found that, although the facility is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty it also adjoins Grundon's materials recycling facility (MRF) and depot. It is also part of the Beenham Industrial Estate which includes a scrap yard, other industries and storage facilities.
The planning inspector said that the extension of the facility “would not be detrimental to the character and appearance of this part of the area of outstanding natural beauty and would not conflict materially with national and regional policy.”
Bob Nicholson, Grundon's director of estates said: “This will allow us to compost up to 40,000 tonnes of green waste a year.”
Grundon's managing director, Richard Skehens, added: “The significance of the two additional planning permissions we have received at Beenham during 2008, is that we now have a total consented recycling capacity of up to 160,000 tonnes a year on the site. Our fully integrated waste management complex is located in an area of other industrial activity and we have our own access from a dedicated roundabout on the A4.”
Grundon revealed that it is planning to spend
Subscribe for free