A COMPOST site in Purton could double in size to deal with 50,000 tonnes after a waste management business resubmitted a failed application to increase capacity at its Mopes Lane facility.

Last year Hills Waste Management’s proposal to double the size of the site was rejected at appeal on the basis the firm had failed to mitigate any increase in HGV traffic in the local area or increased odours from the bulk of material being processed.

A fresh application has now been lodged including a 20-page transport statement and odour management plan, but local councils will still protest the move.

Planning permission for the facility has been granted until 2024, but Hills is also seeking to make its presence permanent.

A spokesman for Hills said: “Parkgate Farm has been identified as a strategic site for waste management in Wiltshire and is considered suitable for composting activities. Hills current planning application is the same as that submitted in 2013 – to retain the access to and compositing facility at Parkgate Farm, impose a limit on green waste tonnages and give up the consent for tyre recycling at the site.

“This application contains the additional information on odour management and traffic movements relating to the site which were requested by the Local Planning Authority.

“The increase in green waste for composting from households in Wiltshire saw 35,000 tonnes of material processed at the facility in 2014.

“Although there will be a small increase in vehicles associated with bringing more of the County’s green waste to the site, it is calculated at 1 vehicle per hour, which has been assessed as being well within the normal daily variation in traffic flows on local roads”

Comments are being accepted until February 19 but Purton Parish Council has asked for more time to discuss the plans in committee.

Helen Baker, of Cricklade Town Council, which has already debated the plans, said the bid had two serious flaws.

“Most, if not all, of the additional HGV movements will come through Cricklade to access the A419.

“There are statistics included using an annual average basis, but the movement of green waste in and out of the site has an obvious seasonal peak which will produce much higher HGV movements at certain times of the year.

“The applicant mentions that HGV traffic from the site has fallen in recent years because of lower activity by some users. While this may be true the effect may only be temporary and cannot be a factor in considering this application.

“Cricklade is faced with the continuing problem of HGV traffic coming through the congested town centre causing inconvenience and danger for pedestrians and other road users as well as shaking the numerous listed buildings that line the roads in and out of the town.”