Concerns raised over concrete crushing plant

Residents have raised concerns that the building of a plant that crushes concrete poses a threat to their community's "well-being and environment".

Clark Contracting Ltd wants to build the "soil recycling facility" at the existing waste management site at Moorend Lane, in Thame, Oxfordshire.

Mark Goodall, chair of Lea Park Residents Association, said locals were worried about the large scale of the operation, and the noise and dust created.

The BBC has contacted the company for comment.

The new plant would create a range of recycled material from imported construction, demolition, and excavation waste.

Concrete, brick, and stone would be crushed on site to make a new product.

The company anticipates 100,000 tonnes of waste being brought into the site for recycling each year, with a "worst case scenario" of 80 HGV movements per day.

The proposed working hours are 07:00 to 18:00 hours weekdays, and until 14:00 on Saturdays, with processing operations limited between 08:00 and17:00.

The site, which is next to a sewage treatment works, has previously been used for the landfill of inert waste materials.

Campaigners say there are issues around the health risks from dust inhalation and noise pollution, and they worry that it could contaminate the river and harm wildlife.

They are also unhappy about the amount of HGVs visiting the site, and the increased risk of accidents.

Mr Goodall said: "We’re really worried about the large numbers of heavy vehicles using the Tythrop Way which will impact heavily on Lea Park residents, the noise and the dust – especially for those using the footpaths, children using the skate park and play park nearby and the users of Thame Football Club’s facilities."

But the planning application, submitted to Oxfordshire County Council on behalf of the construction company, said noise generated at the site "would comply with the recommended levels".

It also said: "Ongoing recycling activities would be well contained within the higher levels of the surrounding land, which would reduce wind entrainment and fugitive emissions."

The application will be decided on 14 October by the county council's planning and regulatory committee.

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