Thatcham waste recycling plant to be run from quarry

Grundon will run the operation from the same site as its mineral extraction plant at Kennetholme Quarry, off Colthrop Lane.
The application site is approximately 0.69 hectares in size and will be located within the 6.2-hectare mineral processing plant. It will mean that heavy goods vehicles will make an extra 10 journeys each day to and from the site, which will be located just 160 metres from homes.
However, Grundon said that the plan was for a small plant dealing with 15,000 tonnes a year, which would offer environmental benefits locally.
A statement read: “To divert waste away from landfill there is a growing need to find ways in which different wastes can be captured and re-used.
"This proposal is associated with the existing use of the site, therefore the new activity will provide a small-scale recycling facility in addition to mineral processing, and a source of recycled and secondary aggregates for local businesses, reducing the pressure on primary resources and as an alternative to newly-quarried aggregates.
"The throughput of the proposed operation will not exceed 15,000 tonnes a year, which are envisaged as 5,000 tonnes of glass and 10,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste.”
Thatcham Town Council did not object to the plan and head of planning at West Berkshire Council, Gary Lugg, said that there were no environmental or road safety issues to prevent the plan from being given the go-ahead, and that the nearby residents should not be affected.
He said: “With the imposition of suitable conditions the quality of life [of residents] should be maintained.
"The proposal will not prejudice highway safety or negative affect the local highway network. Furthermore, the proposal is acceptable in environmental terms and the imposition of conditions will ensure continued environ-mental protection.”