The campaign against plans to create a recycling centre at Newlyn was given a boost last week when Penwith Council voted to oppose the application. The recommendation has been welcomed by the Save Newlyn Coombe committee which is objecting to proposals by SITA to build a household waste recycling centre at the former Western Power depot in the Coombe.

At a meeting of Penwith Council's planning committee last week, councillors voted to object to the plans as they were not satisfied that highway safety issues had been resolved, with particular regard to Trereife crossroads, Newlyn Coombe and Newlyn Bridge.

However, it is Cornwall County Council that will have the final say on the application.

Tony Williams, chairman of Save Newlyn Coombe, said this week that he welcomed Penwith's decision to object to the plans, but regretted that it was not able to veto the whole scheme.

The application would see the development of a redundant site on the B3315, which would comprise at least 16 containers on two levels for the disposal of plastics, cans, waste soil and hazardous waste such as car batteries and oil.

Applicants SITA expect the site to be used by 300 cars a day during the week and 500 a day at the weekend.

Following a meeting of the Save Newlyn Coombe committee this week Mr Williams said: "The situation is that there will be 1,000 cars entering and exiting the site on Saturdays and Sundays, and that will be close to the blind corner at Stable Hobba.

"The other issue is just the sheer size of development. I think a lot people think it's just a bottle bank, but there is going to be 4,400 square metres of hard standing which will cause its own problems with rainwater run off."

Mr Williams added that the application left "a lot unanswered questions" labelling it "full of holes and contradictions".

His view is supported by David Kneebone, fellow committee member and chartered engineer, who has written to the county council to air his concerns.

He wrote: "It is clear that this proposed development is wholly inappropriate at this location. The application repeatedly argues that the proposed waste recycling yard is immediately adjacent to an existing industrial estate, whilst ignoring the basically rural and residential nature of the location.

"One is entitled to enquire whether they have even visited the actual site or if they have simply been directed to it by others with development agendas for the supposedly protected Newlyn Coombe environment."

The pressure group, which also opposed the seafood park, has now raised a petition of 600 signatures which will be handed to the county council this week.

The application was due to be discussed by a planning committee meeting yesterday, but has now been deferred until after the summer.

Mr Williams added: "Before it goes to the planning committee our aim is to organise a public meeting and we would hope that SITA would be represented so we can hear both sides of the story."

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