A LANDFILL site dealing with 500,000 tonnes of rubbish could open on the border of Rayleigh and Basildon.

The proposed plant at Dollymans Farm, off Doublegate Lane, Rawreth, is expected to specialise in construction waste. It comes after Essex County Council and Southend Council were asked to prepare a new plan for waste disposal up to 2032.

There is currently an unfilled hollow at the farm left behind when earth was removed for the construction of the A130.

Campaigners fear the site will put people off buying homes in the area and limit where future developments can be built.

They also believe the landfill, which is likely to be accessed from Southend Road, running from Rayleigh to Wickford, will spark traffic chaos.

Chris Stanley, Lib Dem councillor for Downhall and Rawreth, said: “The hollow should have been refilled after the work, but it wasn’t.

“There is a nursery not far away from the farm, as well as offices. They say it shouldn’t affect anyone outside of a perimeter of 250m but if we are to develop as much as the government want us to this site will have a detrimental affect where we are able to put houses in the future. Noone wants a house near an open landfill.

“We would be getting waste from Southend and Basildon – as far as the Essex borders go.

“We are all concerned. I realise we have to put it somewhere but why on the doorstep of Rayleigh and Rochford?”

Land to the south of Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh, has been earmarked for 500 homes as local authorities draw up Local Plans - setting out development sites for the next 20 years.

Wickford is set to get 3,300 new homes.

Last year, Southend Council and Essex County Council prepared a plan with 18 sites allocated for waste disposal in south Essex - but decided not to include Dollymans Farm. Concerns were later raised about a lack of capacity for disposing of construction waste from 2026 to 2032, prompting the site to be included.

Basildon mayor David Harrison, leader of Wickford Independents, said: “My concern is the access route which the trucks will use. There is already quite a bit of traffic because of the industrial units.

“People will be concerned, it is a landfill site and there will be a lot of work going on. But we have been told that once the hole is back to the original level, work will cease. The council estimate it would take five years.

“The council has said there will be a 250m perimeter between other developments, but it should be more.

John Spence, Essex County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Planning, said: “Should it be approved, the Dollymans Farm site could be used to dispose of construction and demolition waste, such as bricks, concrete and rubble. As such, residents should not be concerned about potential air pollution or odour issues.

“This site was not amongst those that were originally recommended by the Council, but has been included now as a requirement of the Planning Inspector. A further consultation is underway and we welcome contributions from all local residents.”

If the waste document is passed, a planning application will still need to approved.