The expansion of a recycling centre near Romsey has been objected to by Romsey councillors.

As previously reported, Nursling Recycling Centre has applied to expand its current site on Lee Lane and construct a new workshop.

Romsey Town Council's planning committee objected to the application, by Adam Murnieks, because of the impact it would have on the nearby houses.

Cllr Mark Cooper said: “I want to object to it because the site is going to enlarge to be 200 per cent bigger and they are going to fill the whole field next to it with complex industrial materials. There are also a number of dwellings on Lee Lane with a large number of vehicles driving by.

“The number of vehicles will be going from 240 to 350 a day. The tonnage is rising from 75,000 to 120,000 per annum, so I think it's a significant infringement on the amenity of those living there.

“The vehicle and skip repair workshops are, by definition, noisy. This is not the site for a mineral waste recycling factory.”

Councillors agreed with this reasoning for the objection. Committee chair, Cllr John Parker said: “The suggestion is that we object on the grounds of the impact of the increased traffic on the amenity of residents and that expansion of the site in the countryside is inappropriate.”

Similar concerns were recently raised about the plan by the deputy chair of Test Valley Borough Council, Nick Adams-King.

He said: “My concerns in particular would be the impact of any intensification of use of the site. Particularly in terms of additional traffic movements, their impact on the people who live closest to the site in Upton and Lee.”

The planning statements points out that the site would increase employment from 21 full time employees to 30 and that it would be a safer site with more room to separate vehicles and plant from staff and customers.

Also, it would also reduce the amount of material sent to landfill and a dedicated maintenance workshop within the existing site would ensure all plant and vehicles operate efficiently.