Councillors are fighting "all the way" to stop plans that could see a waste management company expand its facility in Watford.

PB Donoghue has submitted a planning application to Hertfordshire County Council to make changes for its site in Colne Way.

This includes increasing its waste processing throughput from 75,000 tpa (tonnes per annum) to 200,000 tpa.

The plans also seek to expand its existing processing shed and remove a baling shed for the construction of a vehicle workshop.

Read more - New workshop and increasing processing capacity among plans for waste service site

Watford Liberal Democrat councillors for the Meriden ward have now written to the owners of Donoghues Waste Facility on behalf of residents to express their concerns over the proposed expansion.

These include the potential for an increase in noise, air pollution and traffic, in addition to the lack of engagement with the local community.

Watford Observer: PB Donoghue has submitted a planning application to Hertfordshire County Council (google street view)PB Donoghue has submitted a planning application to Hertfordshire County Council (google street view)

A document on the planning application says that a “fundamental of the proposed development and its design principles is to create a separation on site between the import, on site movement, processing and export (as product) of C&I wastes and inert/C&D wastes”.

“Not only will such a separation enhance the operational performance of the site, but it will also allow more controlled management of potential impacts such as dust, noise and general nuisance,” it added.

The letter to PB Donoghue said: "We wish for you to reconsider this application as we believe this will have a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of residents living close to the site, children attending the local school and will also have a huge impact on the environment in which the site sits which will increase air pollution, increase noise and increase emissions to an unacceptable level.

"We are strongly opposed to this development and will be fighting the expansion to stop it happening."

It was signed by Cllrs Jennifer Pattinson, Amanda Grimston, Peter Hannon and Hertfordshire County Councillor Stephen Cavinder.

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They also set-up a petition against the plans.

Cllr Pattinson added: “Local Lib Dem councillors are completely opposed to these plans for an expanded dump and we will fight them all the way.

“But we can’t do this on our own. The more people who sign our petition, the stronger the message to the Conservative-run County Council that they must stop the dump.”

PB Donoghue has been contacted for comment.

You can view the application here