For a second time, a planning application which seeks to increase HGV movements in Kings Worthy has already raised objections only one day after the public consultation started.

Ecogen Recycling Limited has submitted a new application to vary these conditions after the previous one was refused at the Hampshire County Council regulatory committee in January.

Its revised proposal is to change two conditions on its earlier planning permission at the North Winchester Farm, Stoke Charity Road. 

The change aims to double HGV movements from 40 to 80 and increase the maximum annual tonnes of waste from 30,000 tonnes per year to 60,000.

READ MORE HERE: Opposition to recycling centre plans

The County council received the proposal on May 12, and public consultation started on May 26 with some objections already received by officials. 

The previous application attracted public interest, and more than 200 complaints and concerns from residents and councillors. 

One of the latest objections said, "Too many lorries running through our small village and no respect from Ecogen when calling to discuss this. This place should be closed!"

Another resident said, "This site is totally unsuitable for this application. The only routes to access the site are on narrow lanes passing housing, which are totally unsuitable for the size and quantity of the vehicles it would serve. I fear more serious accidents will occur.’

And "These heavyweight lorries create havoc on the local narrow roads in the vicinity of Stoke Charity Road. It’s an accident waiting to happen. There has to be an alternative site for Ecogen Recycling Ltd."

SEE MORE: Recycling centre plans are refused

Ecogen instructed Stuart Michael Associates Limited (SMA) to assess the implications of increasing the amount of throughput.

It pointed out that the site was granted planning permission and that the movement of HGVs along Stoke Charity Road and Lovedon Lane "was not raised as a significant issue at the time since HGVs, buses and farm traffic already use the route".

A site meeting was held last September with county council officers, which resulted in a highway response (December 21, 2022) recommending that the Highway Authority raise no objection.

In a statement, SMA said: "SMA had demonstrated that sufficient mitigation could be provided and that the increase in HGV movements would not represent a severe cumulative impact.

"SMA had demonstrated that sufficient mitigation could be provided and that the increase in HGV movements would not represent a severe cumulative impact."

The company collects recyclable materials from businesses and sells them to domestic and international paper mills and recycling plants. At the recycling centre, the waste is treated to reduce its volume and help transport it to another site for reuse or recycling.

Public consultation will close on June 26. To submit comments: planning@hants.gov.uk with the HCC/2023/0269 reference number.