When is doing the right thing, potentially not so good? Perhaps when it adversely affects others?
Ponder this, composting is good and so is recycling but what about the adverse effects when its location and or scale is inappropriate?
There is a planning application in to expand the composting site at Mopes Lane.
There are a couple of problems with this: (1) the potential increase in HGV movements and the associated damage to local roads and verges (as documented in Transforming Purton Parish Foresight & Resilience 2013 and the Purton Parish Plan) and (2) the trucking of green waste from many different places elsewhere in the county, to Mopes Lane in the north of the county with the associated greenhouse gas emissions. Also, alongside the request for greater tonnages, is a request to make the temporary permission for the bridge that crosses the railway line a permanent permission.
When it was decided to allow the bridge over the railway line, to enlarge the landfill site (this is also the location of the composting site) it was always on the basis that after the landfill had closed, and the land had been restored, the bridge would be removed. This was to allow for any changes in land requirements and, of course, during the years we have seen a reduction in the need for landfill.
Perhaps it is time to reduce the HGV traffic through Cricklade, and the noise and vibration for those who live along Cricklade Road, particularly near to the junction with Mopes Lane itself.
Wiltshire Council has been thinking about this and the officer’s report notes the above concerns also, and is recommending refusal.
Although composting is a Good Thing, on this occasion additional capacity may not be so good. The Strategic Planning Committee is meeting at 10:30 on Wednesday 22 January in Chippenham to consider the application. I will go along and speak to encourage the members to go with their officer’s recommendation for refusal.
