A RECYCLING company has expressed disappointment at Hillingdon Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for their site in Hayes and confirmed they will appeal the decision.

Plans for specialist business Knowaste to develop their Uxbridge Road site were rejected after demands for more information about the odour management system were published seven days before the meeting.

Knowaste submitted a comprehensive report into odour management believing they had addressed the issue and would have been to meet demands if adequate time was allowed.

The proposed facility would be the first of its kind in the UK and would divert at least 36,000 tonnes of absorbent hygiene products (such as nappies and sanitary towels) from dumped in landfill sites per year.

Knowaste state that the development would bring pioneering technology, 20 skilled jobs and £15m investment to the area.

UK business development director at Knowaste, Paul Richardson, said: “We are extremely disappointed by the council’s decision to refuse our application, we’ve bent over backwards to supply all the information required and unfortunately our last resort is to appeal this decision.

“We always wanted to work with Hillingdon Council and the community to secure a local decision, but regretfully the behaviour of the council has left us no choice.

“We still want to deliver a huge investment in the local area and grow local skills and job opportunities, but what message does this send in tough economic times – is Hillingdon really closed for business?”

Original plans were withdrawn in March in order to provide a fully-specified odour management system and complimentary study, which officers at an early meeting confirmed would satisfy requirements.

The council responded stating: "The council are satisfied that the decision made on Thursday 14 July 2016 was made in accordance with the law and appropriately weighted material planning considerations."

Image courtesy of Alan Levine, with thanks