CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend a recycling centre have been deferred after concerns were raised over the potential noise impacts.

Nursling Recycling Centre wanted to expand its site, build a new workshop and upgrade parking at the adjacent paintball centre, in Lee Lane.

Hampshire County Council's regulatory committee deferred the proposal, in order to clarify why the environmental health officer was in favour of the scheme.

It had been recommended for permission.

The application, submitted by Collard Group Ltd, was to increase the total number of vehicles at the site from 240 to 350. The amount of waste imported to the site would also increase from 75,000 tonnes to 125,000 tonnes per year.

A total of 23 objections (from 16 people) were sent to Hampshire County Council. A petition was also sent with 20 names.

The main concerns were over highway safety, air quality, noise impacts and habitat impacts.

Four residents and a councillor spoke in opposition to the scheme.

READ MORE: Romsey councillors object to Nursling Recycling Centre plans

Ken Wilson, of Station Road, said: “Every resident of Station Road signed the petition for this to be refused. There are points in the road where HGVs can't pass each other.

“It's a small road in a countryside setting. The current HGV traffic starts at 6.30am, waking the residents up. My house physically shakes when lorries go by. If this is approved, the number of lorries will increase by 46 per cent. 

“This will have a huge impact on the whole environment.”

Penelope Gage, of Station Road, said: “I work nights, and I can very rarely sleep in the day due to the noise and the speed of the lorries. They speed all the time.”

Phillip Lomax, of Station Road, said: “It's in an unacceptable location. It's unjustified development in the countryside. It will also cause the loss of a habitat without mitigation or compensation.”

Cllr Philip Bundy said: “If you permit this, it would mean 110 more vehicles would travel from station Road to Lee Lane. How is this deemed acceptable? It should be refused on the grounds of the impact on public safety.”

Chris Muir spoke to the committee on behalf of the applicant. Mr Muir said: “The proposed enhancements are extensive. It will mean a small increase in large HGVs. We don't consider the additional noise to be significant.

“According to the minerals and waste plan, this would be suitable for the countryside.”

Councillors were concerned over the objection raised by Test Valley Borough Council and requested more information from the environmental health officer.

Cllr Louise Parker-Jones said: “I believe this fails on local amenity. It would impact residents and their lives. I am also concerned about building in the countryside.”

Cllr Mark Cooper said: “The applicant is asking for an extension of more than one hectare. It's a lot of land. 

“If we allow this, it will set a precedent for similar developments north of the motorway (M27). 

“The impact of increasing concrete production would be huge. We need to limit this.”

Cllr Cooper proposed that the application be deferred.

After the meeting, Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “I’m pleased that County Council’s Regulatory Committee listened to the concerns of residents and the parish council. Deferral gives time for the correct controls to be put in place to ensure that the proposal has as little impact as possible to local residents, the local environment and traffic flows in Lee Lane and Station Road."