An application to extend the hours of waste disposal in Beddington, which will allow trucks to get in and out of the landfill area overnight, is angering residents.
Viridor Waste has submitted a planning application for the landfill site in Beddington Lane to extend the hours of disposal of waste from the four boroughs in the South London Waste Partnership: Kingston, Croydon, Merton and Sutton.
Letters objecting to the application made by Viridor Waste were sent to Sutton Council’s development control, arguing the noise was going to be a nuisance to all residents, especially children and the elderly.
Roy Bennett, of Foxglove Way, near the Beddington Farmland site, said: “Foxglove Way runs along the railway immediately opposite the landfill site.
“We are protected from aircraft noise overnight and do not wish our silence to be polluted by vehicles moving on the landfill site.
According to Mr Bennett, despite continuous complaints to the council, there is a prevalent obnoxious smell emanating from the landfill site and its adjacent sewage and composting operations.
He said: “If operations continue overnight, the smell will get worse, with residents needing to keep windows closed on hot nights.”
A Sutton Council spokesman said: “Viridor is proposing to accept waste from street sweepings and on-street bin collections only between 5.30pm and 7am, and not general waste from homes or businesses in the four boroughs.
“This waste would be delivered to an enclosed building near the site entrance overnight and only disposed of on the landfill during normal working hours.
“Due to the type of waste being delivered and the fact it will be deposited inside a closed building, there should not be any problems with the smell.
“This application forms part of a joint-working waste contract that, over time, will reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill from the four boroughs, increase recycling and ultimately save taxpayers money.”
The application is likely to be considered in July or August, although a date has not yet been set. View the application at sutton.gov.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here