Controversial plans to double the operation of a recycling plant in Kings Worthy will be debated by the county council.

Ecogen Recycling Ltd, in Stoke Charity Road, is looking to increase the number of lorry movements - resulting in 80 HGVs going through Kings Worthy daily.

Currently, Ecogen is only allowed to handle 30,000 tonnes of waste each year and is restricted to 40 HGV movements per day - 20 in and 20 out – but it wants the council to alter these conditions to allow it to import 60,000 tonnes of waste.

Residents are concerned over the safety of the roads surrounding the site, with the scheme set to be discussed by Hampshire County Council by the regulatory committee on December 14.

On its planning statement, it said: "The site is approximately 2.25ha, comprising two large former agricultural buildings which are now used by machinery used to bale/package the incoming material prior to it being distributed for recycling. 

"The site also includes a large area of hardstanding, open storage, a large bund and landscaping. The site is accessed via a haul road off Stoke Charity Road." 

Residents have been submitting new objections on the county council website.

Christine Donald said: “As a resident, I would like to object to this. Whilst you state there have been no incidents there have been many near misses.

“The road is simply not wide enough and it is a danger to pedestrians. On multiple occasions my family have had to jump to the side of the pavement to trucks travelling along the road.”

READ MORE: Kings Worthy residents oppose Ecogen's planning application

Cllr Jane Rutter, ward councillor for the Worthys, said: “I am writing to object to proposed road ’improvements’ to Lovedon Lane in an attempt by Ecogen to render their application to double lorry movements along Lovedon Lane and Stoke Charity Road acceptable. These proposals do no such thing. 

“Firstly, to propose to reduce the width of the footway over the disused railway bridge on Lovedon Lane is downright dangerous. This footway is already too narrow, and I and many local residents feel unsafe walking along it as traffic – particularly HGVs, thunder past at the current speed limit of 40mph – or more as is often the case. 

“If anything, this footway should be made wider, with traffic required to give way in single lane running – this is a place where people commonly report slight collisions with the loss of wing mirrors. It is only a matter of time before a more significant collision occurs at this narrow bridge.

“I completely reject the suggestion that these proposed road changes will enable the safe use of Lovedon Lane and Stoke Charity Road for an increase in lorry movements to the Ecogen Site, and completely object to both this application and to the application to increase lorry movements.”