CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a landfill and recycling site at a Buckley quarry have been thrown out.
An application by Brock PLC to build at Pinfold Lane Quarry, Alltami, was refused by a Flintshire Council planning committee despite a recommendation by planning officers to approve it.
Members said their was simply no need for another landfill which is likely to increase dust, noise, odour and vehicle emissions.
Councillor Bernie Attridge told a special meeting yesterday: “I’m not against landfill but a need has to be satisfactorily demonstrated.
“Buckley people have had a bellyful of being the dumping ground of Flintshire.
“Enough is enough.”
Cllr Neville Phillips added: “Buckley has borne the scars of industry for far too long.”
The integrated waste management site would include a construction waste recycling facility, a non-hazardous landfill with a 1.6 million cubic metre capacity and a contaminated soils treatment facility.
Plans also include energy generation from landfill gas.
Buckley Mountain councillor Carol Ellis, who represents the area affected by the development, was concerned about potential extra traffic generated by a landfill.
She said: “There will be an increase of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) queueing to get into Pinfold Lane.
“The report states that no accidents involving HGVs have been reported but that’s more by luck.
“There is no need for this super-tip when there are perfectly good alternatives in Wirral and Cheshire.
“It just doesn’t add up. Your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be left with yet another blot on the landscape.”
But Queensferry Cllr David Wisinger warned that refusal of the application might prompt an appeal by Welsh Government which could cost Flintshire Council a “substantial amount of money.”
The committee deferred a decision on Pinfold Quarry in 2010 saying they needed more information.
An application for a landfill site at nearby Parry’s Quarry was granted by a planning inquiry after being refused by Flintshire Council’s planning committee, but an operational permit application to the Environment Agency has yet to be granted and the site is not yet operational. Members voted in their majority to refuse the application.