STRONG protests against plans for a liquid waste depot in a residential area of Petersfield have been made by East Hampshire district councillors.
After hearing their reaction, the leader of the campaign against the depot, Peter Bennett said he was delighted to win the first round of the fight.
But he stressed that residents would now have to lobby county councillors who would make the final decision. And he warned that they would appeal to a government inspector if the plan was approved.
At a meeting of the council's south planning committee, members decided to make a "strong objection" to Hampshire County Council. They said the proposed depot would create more traffic, resulting in unacceptable over-intensive use of the site. This would cause excessive noise and traffic disturbance to residents of homes nearby.
Councillors were also worried about increased traffic causing a danger on the roads to and from the site in Borough Road.
John Crowhurst told the planning committee: "This road is already intensively used and cannot take any additional traffic."
The decision to object to Hampshire County Council's plan follows a campaign mounted by residents.
The station is planned to deal with gully waste, largely silt from drains and roads. Under new landfill directives the liquid has to be drained before the dried waste can be dumped in landfill sites.
But residents feared the waste transfer station, to be managed by Raynesway Construction Southern, could bring traffic hazards, noise, unwanted smells, water pollution and vermin.
They said the plan was totally unsuitable in a residential area.
Mr Bennett, of Osier Road, told The Herald this week: "I will be contacting Petersfield county councillor John West for his support against this plan.
"I will also be lobbying all the county councillors on the planning and transportation committee."