Sheffield industrial plant allowed to expand operations despite smell
The plant in Tinsley Park will be allowed to almost double production
A Sheffield firm has been allowed to almost double the output of an industrial process after councillors were satisfied that odour problems affecting residents are being addressed.
Holcim UK (previously Aggregate Industries), which has a plant on Europa Road in Tinsley Park, has been allowed by Sheffield City Council’s planning and highways committee this week (June 2) to increase its output of coated roadstone from 370,000 tonnes a year to 600,000 tonnes, provided it meets certain conditions.
The increase will only be allowed once an odour management plan has been installed. A post-installation report must also be submitted to the council and approved in writing by the authority before any expansion of production up to the agreed limit can take place.
The planning application had been opposed by 34 residents of Brinsworth in Rotherham, whose homes are as close as 450 metres from the plant. It also produces ready-mixed concrete and recycles aggregates used on roads.
A report to the committee described what objectors had said: “There is a strong, pungent, bitter and acrid smell. It makes you feel queasy, hurts your eyes, and causes coughing and sneezing.
“Residents are forced to keep windows closed and avoid use of gardens.
This has affected quality of life.”
Planning officer Jacob George said that the company is responding to increased demand from Amey, who carry out the Sheffield City Council highways contract, and other local customers.
He told councillors that the same odour reduction system has been used at a similar plant in Leicestershire, where it reduced the smell to an acceptable level.
Members, including Coun Mary Lea, who represents some of the residents who live in Darnall ward, Couns Brian Holmshaw, Richard Williams and meeting chair Coun Mike Chaplin, asked questions about air quality, dust created on the site and the odour issue.
Mr George said that colleagues in the environmental protection service and other council experts were assured that the company’s plans would meet all expected standards. They would also be monitoring outcomes.
Coun John Hesketh said: “On the planning side of it we should congratulate officers for diligently working through a complicated application with various aspects.”
He added: “There has been a lot of party poopers around here. This is a great story for our city.” Coun Hesketh said it was astonishing that a company with such high energy costs was looking to expand its operations.
Coun Williams said he had been reassured by the conditions imposed. “It puts the onus on the company to get it right, rather than taking a leap of faith as we have done in the past.”
He said it was important both to support businesses and to make sure that local residents are properly protected.
Coun Chaplin said that it is important to allow councillors to ask questions and carry out due diligence on planning applications to ensure there are no negative effects for people living and working in the area.
Coun Holmshaw said that the issue of dust had only occurred to him following a site visit the previous day. “We’re here to scrutinise and to improve if we possibly can.
“If there were ways we should put more conditions in if they are necessary, we should be doing this.”
Coun Lea said: “I will be supporting this but we do need to scrutinise these planning applications and listen to residents first.”
Councillors unanimously agreed to allow the application.