ONE of Fareham's largest employers has hit out at a planned prosecution by the borough council over its continued use of a depot.

Hughes Waste Management Services, which has 700 people on its books, is determined to fight on despite the threat of court action on July 1.

The company says the prosecution, following complaints from residents about dust and noise, will be a waste of ratepayers' money.

Bill Elliott, director of business development for the Wallington-based company, said they were standing by their legal rights to continue to operate from the site.

"In my 30 years' experience in dealing with local authorities I have never come across such a situation,'' he said.

"The issue of contention is that Hughes Waste Management is still operating its staff and some 50 vehicles from the site.

"It is our understanding, and we are supported in this by the opinion of a leading planning Queen's Counsel, that we have permission to operate from the site under a planning permission which has been granted by Hampshire County Council for the building and operation of recycling centre.''

The borough council is taking the company to court for not complying with an enforcement notice it issued following complaints for residents over noise nuisance.

However, Mr Elliott insists that the company has complied with all but one of the 17 enforcement notices served on it.

"Fareham contends that we should return the site to a "greenfield site" before going ahead under the terms of the planning permission.

"The people and vehicles now on site are the ones that will occupy it under the new consent, so I cannot see how removing them for a very short time would be in the public interest and it could put jobs at risk.

"Fareham like any other council is not allowed to prosecute as a means of punishment but as a means of achieving compliance.

"How can it be in the public interest to spend the money of the ratepayers of Fareham on a prosecution - and what will it achieve''

A public inquiry is to be heard at Portsmouth Guildhall, in Committee Rooms 1 and 2, on Tuesday, starting at 10am.

The inquiry follows letters of complaint from local residents about environmental issues in connection with the company, which is based at Enterprise Park, Military Road, Fareham.

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