Planning permission issued for controversial composting site

The site just outside the village of Whitesmith, which will also contain a new wood chipping facility, will be capable of recycling up to 46,000 tonnes of 'green' household waste a year once it is built.

Local people protested strongly over the proposal.

East Sussex County Council's planning committee gave the applicant, Veolia South Downs Ltd, the go-ahead to build the facility in February subject to various conditions, some requiring a legal agreement.

The conditions included commitment from Veolia to provide a habitat for wildlife and a new area of woodland nearby.

The waste firm was also asked to prepare an 'Odour Management Plan', to agree to undertake roadworks and to plan routes for HGV lorries that would cause minimal disruption to residents as they travelled to and from the site.

This legal agreement has now been signed, enabling the planning permission with 37 conditions to be issued.

Construction is expected to start later this year.