PLANS for a new composting site which could see lorries cart green waste around the county has led to concerns over its carbon footprint.

Hills Waste Solutions has confirmed it is to open a new green waste composting operation at Parkgate Farm, Purton, to coincide with Wiltshire Council’s green waste collection service.

It is likely to be completed by the beginning of April.

Initially the site, which is moving from Lower Compton, near Calne, will receive garden waste from north Wiltshire and will cater for the increased garden waste expected to be generated by the council’s new collections.

Wiltshire councillor Jacqui Lay said she had concerns about the proposals, with waste travelling further than before.

She said: “They are intending to hold back until April in line with the waste strategy of the council, which goes to cabinet next week. What really concerns me and many people in this area is that the site may take all composting and green waste from the whole of Wiltshire Council.

“Bearing in mind we are in the northern extremity and the waste would have to come through Cricklade, the village would not cope.”

Dr Richard Pagett, who runs local group Purton Ps & Qs, said: “I am afraid most residents are largely resigned to the inevitability that Purton is being used as a place of convenience in terms of waste management.

“Trucking green waste from all over the county to a single location at one end of the county makes no real sense.”

Mike Webster, group director of Hills Waste Solutions, said: “Planning permission for a composting and tyre shredding operation at Parkgate Farm was granted in November 2007.

“With the harmonisation of waste services by Wiltshire Council across the county, Hills has had to make some changes and one of these is to provide additional composting capacity.

“Hills has provisionally secured agreement with landowners to seek planning permission to gain access to Parkgate Farm from the south west. In the meantime, the existing planning permission requires vehicles to access the site via Cricklade as there is a weight restriction through Purton village.

“We have met with local town and parish councils to advise them of our plans and take their views into consideration.”

Visit www.hills-group/ consult/planning/html and www.wiltshire.gov.uk