FURIOUS campaigners have labelled a decision to approve a controversial expansion at a Hampshire recycling yard as a ‘council stitch-up’.

The proposals, which sought retrospective permission to expand the car park at the Bullington Cross yard and allow lorries to deliver scrap metal earlier in the morning, faced fierce opposition from local residents.

The site, near Winchester, has proved to be controversial among locals ever since planning permission was granted to demolish the former Bullington Cross Inn at the junction of the A34/A303 and replace it with the facility.

Campaigners argue that noise being created is destroying the area’s tranquility, and that in building the car park a number of mature trees and wildlife habitats had been destroyed.

In its objection, a spokesman for Bullington Parish Council also said there had been a number of breaches of existing planning permission for the site, including waste piles more than four metres tall, working outside of allowed hours and the scrapping of motor vehicles.

However, Hampshire County Council’s (HCC) regulatory committee unanimously backed the plans at a meeting at The castle in Winchester last week.

Campaigner Rupert Wieloch, who lives around 400m away from the site, said: “It was clear throughout that it was a stitch-up by the Hampshire County Council staff who clearly wanted to ensure Bryan Hirst can service the contract for the 26 Hampshire recycling centres, irrespective of the impact on the local community/environment and the strength of local feelings against the proposal.”

Mr Wieloch, who addressed the committee on behalf of Bullington Parish Council, argued with a number of points raised by planning officers, including the locations of the nearest property to the recycling yard, operated by Bryan Hirst Ltd.

He also argued that water from the yard “runs down the hill into the water table, which included the River Dever”, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

As a result of the approval, Bryan Hirst Ltd will be allowed to keep the 21-space car park, built in 2010, as well as have HGVs leaving and entering the site between 6am and 6pm on weekdays, and 7am to 4pm on Saturdays.

However, the committee did recommend that a liaison panel be set up to monitor the situation.

Following the meeting, Mr Wieloch raised the possibility of launching a judicial review into the firm’s contract with county council household waste sites, and added that they would be monitoring for any breaches of the planning permission.

Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine added: “This is very disappointing news, and I know my constituents, in particular in Norton, will be very upset.

“The concerns set out by residents previously around lorry movements remain – and that is leaving aside the number of breaches to the original conditions from 2010 that were reported and seemingly not enforced.

“I know that local residents will be watching how this plays out very carefully, and I will be right behind them if there are any further breaches.”