By Rebecca Hannant
Plans for an asphalt plant near Brandesburton have been deferred following a backlash from nearby residents who are concerned about the impact on homes and the environment.
Newlay Asphalt and MB Goodwin (Skipsea) previously proposed to create a site on the old RAF Catfoss base with the ability to process up to 100 tonnes of asphalt per hour.
The planning documents identified that the proposed site would operate between 5am and 3pm Monday to Friday. The site would also be open until 10pm on Saturdays, but closed on Sundays and bank holidays. There would be a total of 30 HGV movements a day for 15 vehicles, with potential for 10 more from smaller lorries making 20 trips to and from the plant.
Following the application, the plans attracted 376 objections from residents who were concerned about pollutants such as benzene, cadmium, formaldehyde and arsenic, as well as harmful odour, noise, dust and emissions. Objectors also claimed that the site would create fuel congestion, and that noise pollution would put tourists off visiting the area.
Speaking on behalf of residents at the planning meeting, Adrian Olsen said: “The application is widely regarded as being one of the most controversial applications in a lifetime.”
He added that if the plans were approved, it would have had a negative impact on the surrounding area, and also said that the applicant had not made any attempt to liaise with the community and address the concerns raised.
In response, Jamie Brown, operations director for Dewsbury-based Newlay Asphalt, told councillors that a large percentage of the material used for roads in East Yorkshire was brought from West Yorkshire, creating thousands of unnecessary road miles every year. He also claimed that new technologies reduce the odour of the asphalt by 90 per cent, and said that his company had demonstrated reasons to approve the application as it would provide a positive benefit to the local economy with the creation of about 12 jobs.
Cllr John Whittle argued that the plant would have a negative impact on tourism in the area as people would not want to holiday there if there was a “clanking monstrosity” nearby, adding that it would inevitably create “a heck of a racket”. He also asked his colleagues to show “a bit of common sense and put an asphalt plant in the right place”.
Following a meeting, members of East Riding Council’s planning committee voted to defer the application, until more information would be received identifying additional landscaping around the site, and further details had been given by the public protection department.
