Soil heap fear for village (From Stroud News and Journal)

Soil heap fear for village

CONCERNED villagers in Westend and Nupend fear plans for a 125,000-ton waste and soil heap may herald the end of their picturesque hamlets.

An application for the spoil heap has been submitted by Grove Farm, Westend, in a bid to reduce noise from the adjacent M5.

But nearby residents are worried that vehicles required to transport the huge amount of material would cause massive disruption to their communities.

There are also fears about the type of waste used and concerns that a reduction in noise pollution could make the area ripe for large scale housing, industrial or business developments.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said many people have expressed concerns since receiving a letter outlining the plans.

"Apparently it would take over a year to get that amount of waste here with up to 20 to 30-ton lorries dropping off up to 900-tons a day," he said.

"And we have a 7.5-ton weight limit on the roads.

"We are worried about air-blown waste, pollution, dust, noise and the motorway is elevated so this thing would have to be 30ft high. "But the underlying concern is why they are doing this."

Colin Frith, Eastington parish councillor and Westend resident, voiced similar concerns.

"The general opinion of people in Westend is that they are not looking forward to basically having a tip in their backyard," he said.

"It might reduce noise levels but people don't want it in its present form as it is uncontrolled and we don't know what's going into it."

The application is being handled by Gloucestershire County Council planners, who have until May 8 to decide whether to give the green light.

A spokesman for Stroud District Council said the authority may put forward its opinion or recommendations.

"We previously said no to an application for one near Slimbridge due to negative impacts on traffic movements but whatever we say the final decision will made by the county council," he said.

The SNJ was unable to contact the applicant, Mrs CE Prentice.