A ROW erupted on Tuesday night as residents questioned the thoughts behind Dunmow s new recycling and waste centre. Essex County Council representatives, along with Howard Jones, a consultant from Egniol, the company assisting in the planning and implemen

A ROW erupted on Tuesday night as residents questioned the thoughts behind Dunmow's new recycling and waste centre.

Essex County Council representatives, along with Howard Jones, a consultant from Egniol, the company assisting in the planning and implementation of the project, fielded questions from councillors and the general public at the South Uttlesford Forum in Foakes Hall.

The project came in for a tirade of fierce criticism for being a potential town eyesore and for its perceived lack of proper consideration and planning.

One resident, John Hockley, whose house will back onto the new site just off Chelmsford Road, let rip at the representatives saying that the project had caused him "10 years of pain".

He said: "I have had to live with this proposed rubbish dump for 10 years, the least the council can do is listen to me for 10 minutes.

"We have had people and estate agents come to look at, and value, our house and the price is dropping dramatically because of the closeness to the site. Meanwhile the council decides to look after reptiles and such things. The way we have been treated is a complete disgrace and we are demanding compensation."

Mr Hockley was referring to delays in the project which have dogged its history, the latest being noise and wildlife surveys.

Project consultant Mr Jones said: "We are carrying out a survey on how noise would affect local residents and the hotel, and we are also checking that no wildlife will be disturbed including possible sightings of reptiles."

After the surveys have been conducted Mr Jones said that the council will be submitting a fresh planning application including the installation of a roundabout at Hoblongs junction onto the A130 and acoustic fencing to reduce noise impact. A consultation period will then begin.

He said: "We expect to have the application in by the end of September, it might however, slip into October."

Chairman of Trade and Commerce Mike Perry, spoke on behalf of the shopkeepers in Dunmow and made the point that such an ugly-looking entrance to the town from the south would ruin the view of Dunmow from a main route.

He said: "The Travelodge hotel had to change its cladding on the outside because it was in a prime location as the 'gateway to the town', now Essex County Council wants to put a rubbish tip in front of it, 30 ft buildings will dominate the skyline and decimate the view from the elevated A120 which is one of the best routes into the town.

"I hope the council really consider all this because it will cause a lot of offence to a lot of people."

He finished sarcastically by saying "a rubbish tip and a hotel, what a great combination".

The waste management centre will have space for household rubbish and a small amount of commercial waste collected by Uttlesford refuse vehicles, which will also be stored at the site overnight.

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