PLANS for a waste recycling centre at the Sleaford sandpit was expected to be given the go-ahead this week after officers said that the need for the facility outweighed local concerns.

Hampshire County Council's regulatory committee was due to debate the plans from Zebra Waste on Wednesday with chief planning officer Peter Chadwick recommending that the proposals be given the nod.

The waste company was seeking permission for the waste recycling operation for a 12-month period to show planners that the facility can be run in an environmentally friendly way and without upsetting local residents.

Mr Chadwick's report explained: "Planning permission is sought for a waste recycling facility for screening and crushing pre-sorted waste to provide secondary aggregate.

"The recommendation is to grant planning permission because, although a departure from development plan policy, it is considered that there is a need for further recycling facilities and the environmental impacts can be controlled.

"Planning permission was granted in 1991 for sand extraction, landfill, and use of plant to recycle construction waste. The permission was implemented on March 14, 1996, and the planning conditions required the cessation of mineral working and waste tipping on or before seven years from commencement, therefore requiring cessation by March 13, 2003.

"A planning application for an extension of time was refused planning permission earlier this year.

"Following implementation there was no further activity at the site, until the beginning of February 2003 when the applicant took over the site.

"The applicant has constructed an access road, hardstanding and bunds from construction waste, and used the site continuously for importing construction/demolition waste, and for recycling, using a concrete crusher, trommel/soil screener to produce secondary aggregate and soils.

"Consequently, the majority of the waste activity at the site has taken place following the expiry of the planning consent for tipping.

"In addition, the site does not currently benefit from a Waste Management Licence.

"The proposal is for the continuation of the current activities for 12 months. It is anticipated that the site would take about 75,000 tonnes of waste.

"Wood would be separated for processing elsewhere, metals would be removed for recycling and soil hardcore builders rubble would be recycled at the site. Non-recyclable material would be removed to a landfill.

"The applicant states that a consent for 12 months would enable them to prove that the site would not give rise to unacceptable impacts on the local environment.

"It is anticipated that the proposal would generate about 40 lorry movements per day on average, with a maximum of 60 during any one day. Access would be via the existing entrance and then to the A325."

In his report to the committee, Mr Chadwick says that he is making his recommendation despite the objections of East Hampshire District Council, Whitehill Town Council, Headley Parish Council, and Kingsley Parish Council and county councillor, John Filer.

Four residents have also sent letters of objection to the council over the plans but the views of the Environment Agency were still awaited.

But he said that their concerns over noise, environmental impact, and the fact that it goes against the council's own policies, can be overcome.

His report said: "The application is clearly retrospective as the operations have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, and the site has operated without planning permission or a waste management licence.

"Whilst this cannot be condoned, the current application has to be considered on its merits.

"The consideration is whether the need for recycling is such as to warrant a departure from policy, and whether the proposal is environmentally acceptable.

"The proposal is for the recycling of inert construction and demolition waste, and consequently is not likely to raise the same level of concern about pollution as the previous application which would have allowed a wider range of waste.

"There is concern at the impact of noise and dust from the operations on site and from the lorry traffic associated with the proposal adversely affecting nearby local residents.

"While the application is for 12 months, the company clearly wishes to operate from the site for a longer period.

"If acceptability cannot be demonstrated during the 12 months proposed, it would be a material consideration for any future application to extend the period.

"While the site had planning permission for landfill, this has expired and so the site is not an active-consented landfill. Therefore, the issue is whether the need for recycling is such as to warrant an exception to policy.

"It is considered that there is a significant need for additional facilities for producing secondary aggregate if recycling targets are to be achieved, this could warrant an exception to policy, provided a site was environmentally acceptable.

"In conclusion, it is considered that unlike the previous application for extending the time for landfill, the concerns about nature conservation and potential pollution can be adequately controlled and mitigated by conditions.

"It is also considered that there is a need for further recycling facilities to meet recycling aspirations."