Chesterfield Borough Council's planning committee attended the former Haydon Concrete site on Whitting Valley Road, Whittington Moor – which Aspect Contracts is seeking permission to turn into a waste transfer facility – on Monday.

In a statement, the council said: "It was noted that the use appeared to have commenced and asbestos was present on the site.

"This was also referred to by the objector who addressed the borough council's planning committee.

"This appears to be a breach of control, however, this is a matter for the county council and Environment Agency to consider and resolve."

Aspect Contracts, which has applied to Derbyshire County Council for planning permission for the waste transfer facility, refuted the accusation that asbestos waste is being stored on site.

Products

She said: "The materials that have been incorrectly identified are replacement products that we use for re-instatement works, once asbestos removal has taken place."

She said these were a waterproof cement sheet used to replace asbestos cement sheets and an encasement product used after removing asbestos-contaminated artex on plasterboard.

A spokesman for Derbyshire County Council said the claims about the presence of asbestos at the site would be investigated.

Chesterfield Borough Council is being consulted about Aspect's application, and following Monday's site visit resolved to oppose the location of the waste transfer station.

The reasons cited include the proximity to residential properties, risk of flooding at the site and concerns that the company will be accepting asbestos from members of the public who may not take the necessary precautions when transporting this type of waste.

If the plans are approved, around 5,000 tonnes of asbestos could be taken in and out of the facility every year.


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