THE health of people living at a caravan park will be put at risk because of an influx of waste plants, a councillor has warned.

Hovefields traveller site, off the A127, borders Basildon's Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, where a series of waste sites have been granted permission in recent years.

The latest application, for additional waste transfer operations at an existing site at Hovefields Court, was approved by Essex County Council on Friday.

Mark Ellis, Ukip councillor for Laindon Park and Fryerns, opposed the proposal, but a majority of planning committee members voted in favour of the plan.

Mr Ellis said the caravan park was now surrounded on three sides by waste facilities, including a recently approved plant which will handle 5,000 tonnes of asbestos per year.

He said: “Hovefields Park was there first and is gradually being surrounded by these facilities and the issues they bring with them, including the hundreds of HGV movements, noise, dust and vibrations.

“It is now clear that the health and wellbeing of these residents is being compromised through no fault of their own to an unacceptable level.”

Last month, Basildon Council voted in favour of a motion calling for a full review of the impact the waste plants were having on Hovefields residents’ health.

Mr Ellis added: “Until we find an appropriate site for these residents, I will not support any further waste facilities in this area.”

In response, Richard Greaves, council waste planning manager, said: “We looked at this application on its own merits. It’s taken some time to consider because of the impact on the residents of the adjoining caravan site.

“Clearly one of the difficulties here is that this is an industrial area and is allocated as an industrial area in Basildon. Therefore it is largely in conformity with waste planning policy about where these facilities should go.

“Yes, I accept that cumulatively there are other waste facilities around the caravan site and through the liaison meetings we have been having with the residents of Hovefields we are hopefully understanding more of their concerns around what is happening on a day-to-day basis.

“I do accept Basildon has particular concerns as an authority about what is happening in this area and clearly the county council will work with Basildon to ensure the residents can live there without any adverse impact.”