Asphalt plant proposal set for go-ahead
GoogleA plan for a new asphalt plant in Berkshire is set to be decided.
The project for land adjacent to the M4 and Membury Airfield will be decided by West Berkshire Council's Western Area planning committee on Wednesday.
Hundreds of people have signed petitions in favour or opposing it, or sent their views to the authority.
Supporters have said it would help the local economy but opponents said it would harm the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Lambourn and Baydon parish councils have objected to the scheme, fearing it could lead to overdevelopment of the area and that noise and smell would impact Membury Services.
A total of 178 representations – from contributors and petitions – have been submitted in favour of the plant, and 170 have been submitted opposing it.
West Berkshire Council officers have said the proposal should go ahead, given the economic benefits it could bring.
Lambourn councillor Howard Woollaston requested the application be decided by the committee over concerns that anticipated traffic had been "significantly underestimated".
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