CAMPAIGNERS who fought to prevent a waste site on their doorstep have been shocked to be told the plans are back on the agenda at Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). Two years ago residents and councillors in Baldock managed to convince HCC one of its p

CAMPAIGNERS who fought to prevent a waste site on their doorstep have been shocked to be told the plans are back on the agenda at Hertfordshire County Council (HCC).

Two years ago residents and councillors in Baldock managed to convince HCC one of its proposed sites in Royston Road was not acceptable as it was too close to homes.

Now HCC has published its Preferred Options 2 document and the Baldock site was again up for consideration.

Residents have until December 18 to register their objections with HCC and two local councillors and an MP are urging them to make their feelings known.

North Herts District Council Conservative Cllr Andrew Young, whose ward in Arbury is where the site is being considered, said: "It is clearly not the ideal site for a waste disposal unit. It is far too close to housing. I will be working closely with residents and other councillors to ask the county council whether they can find an alternative site."

Baldock East Lib Dem Cllr Marilyn Kirkland said: "This come as a big shock to everyone.

"After we had presented the petition and the site was dropped we thought that was the end of things. Now we have to fight all over again."

North East Herts Tory MP Oliver Heald said: "I am against this site and urging constituents to make their views known as I have."

The site could accommodate units for recycling dry materials like plastic as well as a composting; disposal of end of life vehicles and a thermal treatment plant.

"The waste site allocations consultation document identifies sites that are potentially suitable to accommodate a waste facility. This doesn't mean that it is to be used for a waste facility. We're just looking at the options and responses from this consultation will be taken into consideration prior to our submission to the secretary of state in 2010," said an HCC spokesman.