Fears for new printing works

A MAJOR new recycling centre in north Suffolk could be "disastrous" for a prestigious new printing works nearby employing 170 people, the company said.

The new centre, called a waste transfer station, is proposed for an industrial estate at Ellough, near Beccles, only 70 yards from where the William Clowes company is now building its new works.

Officials working for Suffolk County Council are recommending that the centre, which will handle construction and demolition waste, be given the go-ahead - despite concerns expressed by the print company.

They claim conditions attached to the planning permission will eliminate the potential for a significant dust nuisance.

Applicant, S J Lake, has agreed to enlarge the proposed building from 108 square metres to 450 square metres to enable most of the recycling operations to be conducted under cover.

Conditions would include measures to suppress dust and a ban on the outside sorting and screening of waste.

VivCodd, the county council's minerals and waste planning manager, says in a report to Thursday's development control committee, that a large part of the industrial estate is expected to attract further development and some dust will inevitably be generated.

"I do not consider there to be a potential for adverse impact on surround land uses over and above what any sensitive receptor might be expected to plan for prudently as part of its overall operational needs," he adds.

But William Clowes' managing director, Ian Foyster said: "We firmly believe that the building of a waste transfer station adjacent to our new factory could be disastrous."

Councillors visited the site last month in order to improve their grasp of the issues at stake.

Mr Foyster in a letter to the council said that the predominant wind direction means that any dust created by the centre will be blown towards the printing works.

"If abrasive just invades our factory processes this will lead to major business disruption.

"Dust in ink, just on printing plates and dust in printing presses can be disastrous," he says.

Mt Foyster says market conditions in the printing industry were tougher than ever and significant losses had been experienced by the company in the past four years.

Without the sale of the company's existing site to Tesco the company would not have survived but it had now been offered a second chance, "not only to survive but to prosper". The future was now endangered by plans for the waste transfer station.

"Our worldwide competition presents enough challenges and we strongly recommend that you reject this application on the basis that it could jeopardise the future of William Clowes and our employees," Mr Foyster adds.

SJ lake was not available for comment last night.