Fierce objections have been raised to plans to put in two ‘lagoons’ to deal with foul waste by-products at Boston’s tip.
Waste Recycling Group (WRG) has submitted plans to Lincolnshire County Council to build a facility to treat leachate – the water which runs off rubbish – on land at Slippery Gowt Lane.
The company says the site, which would accept waste from King’s Lynn and Skegness, would not cause problems for residents and nearby businesses – but Wyberton Parish Council has other views.
At a meeting on Monday, the authority’s vice-chairman John Chester said: “There is already the waste transfer site. This is not fair to the Boston people. Leachate can contain anything. Why should we finish up with all the waste from Skegness and King’s Lynn?”
Councillors said they were concerned about potential smell, which could affect residents amenity and could impact on food factories in the area. They also raised issues over increased traffic and the fact that there was not a recent odour assessment available to support the application.
Coun Richard Austin added: “We have got a lot of people who live quite close to this. It’s not the sort of activity you want in an urban area.”
Substance from the lagoons would be used to irrigate planting which is due to take place on the current landfill site when it ceases to be used in the future. Planning permission has not yet been submitted for this – an issue which raises questions in itself, councillors have said.
Coun Alison Austin, who represents people living nearby for Boston Borough Council, also raised concerns, adding: “The environment of the local community is potentially being sacrificed to solve environmental problems of a commercial company.
“Leachate treatment works, in common with sewage farms, should be sited well from urban or residential areas. These treatment lagoons could be affecting residents on both sides of the river within a mile of the Slippery Gowt landfill site.”
Both councillors and local residents are also worried about the number of heavy vehicles which will be heading to the site, but according to a report form the company behind the plans, the increase will be minimal.
Molly Fixter, who lives on Marsh Avenue, said: “Does that mean tankers full of obnoxious dirty water will be using Boston’s busy roads?”
She is also worried about the impact it will have on the local environment.
Councillors have submitted a formal objection, and are calling on residents to contact them with their views. Call council clerk Karen Allen on 01205 461274.
The closing date for objections to this application is February 28.
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