Farmers concerned by waste plant plan

There are fears a vegetable-growing and packing business could close with the loss of up to 400 jobs if plans for a waste plant nearby are approved.

Nottinghamshire County Council is on Thursday expected to consider a planning application by Veolia Environmental Services for the construction and operation of an open windrow composting site at Inkersall Grange Farm, Bilsthorpe.

The six-hectare site would process 35,000 tonnes of garden waste a year from household waste recycling centres in Nottinghamshire and from neighbouring districts.

Mr Martin Evans, the chief executive of Fresh Growers Ltd, a farmers’ co-operative that has a fresh vegetable and salad processing unit next to the proposed site, said the company could not risk producing food that might be contaminated.

He said if the proposal went ahead there was a strong likelihood the plant would have to close.

He said the green waste would contain food waste, which could cause illness including food poisoning.

Mr Evans said the composting system would involve leaving the waste in the open next to the vegetable-packing factory.

He said contamination could be passed by wind and flies.

The co-operative, owned by ten Nottinghamshire farmers, grows and packages carrots, asparagus, lettuce and parsnips.

It is best known for the introduction of the small Chantenay carrots, and as a pioneer of the Fruit and Vegetables in Schools scheme supplying 11/4m primary schoolchildren with carrots.

The business has sales of £15m and employs 100 people on site plus 200 seasonal and other workers.

There are plans for a further 100 employees but the expansion is on hold until the outcome of the planning application is known.

Mr Steve Mitchell, the managing director of Veolia Environmental Services, said: “The Environment Agency would not allow the operation of any compost facility that was a threat to public health.

“The facility will produce the same sort of compost that is used by many food producers to ensure that their crops grow healthy and strong.

“We welcome a site visit from the planning committee as it will help get the facts straight and put the public’s mind at rest.

“The facility will be more than 250 metres away from the food operations and we are working within very strict guidelines set out by the Environment Agency.

“This is one of the most commonly used and effective methods of composting.”

Mr Mitchell said that it was regrettable that local residents would be unduly concerned about public health worries and local workers concerned about their jobs.

He said: “Veolia Environmental Services Nottinghamshire is a good neighbour and our operations throughout Nottinghamshire will generate hundreds of permanent jobs without adversely affecting other industry.”