PLANNERS say they are against increasing the number of heavy vehicles using a recycling yard. This week members of Bedfordshire County Council s development and control committee were expected to recommend a maximum of 50 heavy goods vehicles a day will b

PLANNERS say they are against increasing the number of heavy vehicles using a recycling yard.

This week members of Bedfordshire County Council's development and control committee were expected to recommend a maximum of 50 heavy goods vehicles a day will be permitted to use the waste recycling yard at Cow Close on Langford Road, Biggleswade.

F O'Dell and Sons has applied for a variation of its current licence granted in 2003 in order to allow 90 heavy vehicles a day entering and leaving the site which is used for the recycling of vehicle parts.

The application, which is being heard today (Thursday), outlines how the O'Dell recycling facility was relocated from Shefford town centre which prompted considerable opposition from local residents in both Langford and Henlow.

Many people were concerned about the large number of heavy lorries using village streets to access the site.

The site currently operates under a waste management licence which permits a daily maximum of waste entering the site of 500 tonnes and up to a maximum of 25,000 tonnes a year. No more than 600 tonnes may be stored on the site, which is monitored by the Environment Agency, at any one time.

O'Dell's application says all vehicles, including light vans and employees' vehicles are currently included in the permitted 90 a day movements.

The company argues that over the past few years the nature of its business has changed and a low proportion of the vehicles are heavy goods vehicles, as the majority of deliveries are made by local builders and contractors in their light vans, often several times a day.

The company also points out it is providing a valuable service to smaller contractors who are unable to dispose of waste at civic amenity sites, or at the larger landfills which will not accept small loads.

The company wants to change the wording on its licence to restrict heavy lorries of 7.5 tons and above to 90 movements a day, with movements of light vehicles unrestricted.

In the report councillors are hearing from Richard Watts, the council's assistant director of the planning and transport policy group, giving his reasons why 90 heavy vehicles a day would be unacceptable.

Biggleswade Town Council has also objected to a significant increase in heavy vehicle movements with Biggleswade councillor David Lawrence saying 90 movements a day is unacceptable and that a balance should be struck with a limit of 30 heavy vehicles and 90 other vehicle movements a day.

In the report the highways development control officer suggests a maximum of 50 heavy lorry movements a day would allow some growth at the site while reducing the increase of heavy vehicles through Langford to below 10 per cent.

The report concludes: "Although the access via Biggleswade and the villages of Henlow and Langford is not ideal and would not conform with policy if the site was a new one, the applicant's proposal of 90 HGV movements per day would represent a considerable increase on the existing situation in Langford, Henlow and Biggleswade with no justification or need."

The committee is being recommended to allow a maximum of 50 heavy vehicles a day to use the site.