A CONTROVERSIAL plan to store spent Tarmac planings at an existing highways maintenance depot, in Blunsdon, will be decided by Swindon Council’s planning committee today.

Gibbs Surfacing Ltd wants to use part of the land, off Turnpike Road, to store the material before being transferred for recycling to a Tarmac PLC plant at either Chelworth or Bristol.

However, Blunsdon Parish Council claims the proposal would have a seriously detrimental effect on homes and other businesses in the area due to dust and noise pollution.

The parish council also claims the application’s travel statement contradicts itself because it states the activity would not be constant, but also refers to an additional 18 lorry movements per day.

Swindon Council’s planning officers have recommended the proposal for consent, claiming that it supports the new National Planning Policy Framework as it achieves sustainable development through minimising waste.

They also claim the proposal is in character with the current use of the site and should not have an unacceptable impact on neighbours in terms of noise or dust pollution, subject to conditions.

Today, the planning committee will also consider plans to build two anaerobic digesters – in which microorganisms break down organic matter, in the absence of oxygen – a combined heat and power plant, two storage clamps, a digestate slurry lagoon and associated works, at Castle Eaton Farm.

The plant would process maize and manure sources from local farms to produce electricity, which would be fed into the national grid, and heat, which would be provided to workshops at Poplar Dairies. The plan is recommended for approval.