Robin Hill Country Park have today mass-emailed all those with season passes alerting them to what they label an ‘unauthorised’ extension of a waste tip next to their site.
The above photo, showing the site, was emailed to their customers this morning along with details of a retrospective planning application submitted by Westridge Ltd last month.
They’re encouraging their customers to leave a comment about the planning application.
Westridge: “Surprised and disappointed at the recent mass email”
Westridge Ltd, who own the site next to Robin Hill, have applied to the Isle of Wight council for retrospective planning permission for a “transfer processing and management building”, as well as a ‘change of use’ from disposal of commercial waste to domestic waste and another new building.
OnTheWight contacted Westridge for a comment and Andrew Liddell told us,
“Westridge have been in several meetings with Robin Hill, we are both surprised and disappointed at the recent mass email sent to their members.
“During the meetings we have discussed and agreed amicable ways that the site will be screened from Robin Hill, Bestival and the Downs.
“If the planning application is looked at carefully, people will see that this is all part of the plans.”
Robin Hill: “Serious implications”
In their email to customers, Robin Hill say the application has “serious implications not just on the day-to-day activity at Robin Hill, but on future development plans too, as visually it will be harmful as will the potential odorous smells from the site.”
However, Mr Liddell challenges this, stating there is no intention to bury black bag waste on site and there never has been, adding,
“The site will be dealing with exactly the same waste streams that is has for over three years.
“There are management control measures in place to prevent any smells having an impact on neighbouring properties, testament to this is that during the last three years there have been no complaints whatsoever.”
Improving recycling capability
Mr Liddell goes on to explain,
“The main reason for the building is for Westridge to further enhance its recycling capability in a controlled manner and reduce the amount of materials being sent to landfill that should be reused.
“Westridge and Lynn Pit is not an extension to the Council landfill, Lynn Pit has been operating as a waste reclaim site for many decades. The company is privately owned, Westridge employee a large amount of full-time staff who all live on the Isle of Wight.
“The purpose of the company is to employ local people who assist local businesses to reuse materials rather than to use natural resources that the world is running out of.”
Have your say
Whether you object or support the application, you can share your views with the Planning Department.
Robin Hill say they’ve instructed solicitors to fight the application on their behalf.
Residents have until end of business on Friday 7th August to submit their comments to the Isle of Wight Council.
