by Rebecca Hannant
New plans have been submitted for an asphalt plant near Brandesburton despite “serious local opposition” to a previous application that was rejected by East Riding Council in August 2022.
The new plans by Newlay Asphalt identify a change of location, less than a mile from the former proposed site on the industrial estate near Catfoss Road.
It has reignited objections from the campaign group Communities Reject Asphalt Plant, whose members argue that the proposed plant will still be out of character for the area.
Jackie Suthenwood, lead campaigner of the Communities Reject Asphalt Plant group, said: “Moving the proposed location for this development a mere half a mile further down the road does nothing to change the nature of the development nor the reasons for the previous rejection – they remain unchanged and entirely valid.
“One wonders why the applicant is so determined to place an asphalt plant on the edge of our village, despite those reasons and in the face of so much serious local opposition.
“This plant serves no functional need in this area. The location is outside local development limits, in open countryside. The adjacent ‘industrial estate’ comprises only non-polluting or non-nuisance causing light industry, storage facilities, agricultural enterprises and the BCK kennels and cattery (reference to which has mysteriously been omitted from all applicant documents despite BCK being most definitely in the close vicinity).
“It is entirely out of scale in size and the process involved and visually incompatible with the surrounding landscape. We saw before that existing plants are either in heavy industrial locations such as their Dewsbury operation or very close to quarrying operations.”
The previous application was refused because of its potential impact on the area.
East Riding planning officers said: “The proposal, by virtue of its the overtly industrial appearance, would have a significant adverse visual impact on the rural character of the area.
“There is no overriding functional need to locate the proposal in this location and it would result in exposed views of an uncharacteristic large scale major industrial plant, buildings and process in the open countryside which would conflict with the prevailing agricultural nature of the area, thereby causing harm to visual amenity and the intrinsic character of the countryside.”
Newlay Asphalt says it has recognised the environmental impact of its proposed site and has opted to place its planned operations at the existing industrial site to reduce the impact on the area.
The company’s planning submission states: “It is anticipated that the plant will fit in with the context of its surrounding uses, given that there will are already long-established commercial users within the wider industrial estate that subject nearby residents to noise or visual impacts.
“The existing dwelling on the site will be vacated prior to the commencement of the use. The impact of the proposed development on nearby residential properties will therefore be negligible.”
Despite the change of location, the campaign group believes that the plant will still affect the village and has raised concerns over noise and air pollution. Campaigners also say that the industrial development will also have an economical impact on the tourism industry in the area.
Jackie added: “An enormous amount of investment and farm diversification has now made our village a centre for tourism activities – note the many caravan and lodge parks in and around the village. East Riding Council has strongly supported this development and it is a major contributor to the local economy.
“The application states that 12 jobs would be created but would easily be eclipsed by a consequential loss of employment in our tourism and hospitality sector. Which visitors would be attracted to a location where a heavy industrial operation close by has the potential to cause such air and noise pollution as this development?
“The danger posed by toxic emissions and airborne dust particles (visible and invisible) and nuisance and distress from odours caused huge concern and objection from local people at the time of the previous application but was largely dismissed by the council’s planning officer and councillors, with certain noted exceptions.
“There can certainly be no guarantee that airborne pollution and dust, some harmful by its very nature, will not find its way into the nearby village, affecting all in our village population, residents, sports participants, schoolchildren, and visitors.”
Concerns have also been raised over the increased amount of traffic from the development. Newlay has confirmed that on a typical day 30 HGVs will visit the site for deliveries and/or collections, with potential for about 15 visits from smaller lorries (7.5 ton or less).
Jackie said: “60 HGV, 30 LGV movements daily from 5am to 4pm, creating more dust, noise, and potential traffic hazard, especially when the A165 coastal route gets really busy in the tourist season. The entire surrounding road network is not suitable for such heavy additional traffic of this nature.
“It’s not green, not clean, not needed and not wanted. This plant would only be detrimental to our village and its residents and businesses.
“It neither protects nor enhances our environment. It does not fit in a rural area. It is not sympathetic to the character and nature of the area. It does not support healthy living in any shape or form.
“In short, it cannot meet the planning criteria specified either at local or national level.”
To view and comment on the application, visit East Riding Council’s planning portal and search the reference 22/03433/CM.
The Gazette has approached Newlay Asphalt for further comment.
