THE agent for the recycling firm behind a proposal to redevelop a former chemical works in Oswaldtwistle has defended the scheme after Hyndburn Council officially objected to the planning application.

Andrew Morgan from ADM Design said the new storage facility for recycled plastics would help prevent to sort of fly-tipping on the land which once caused a “plague of flies”.

The former NIPA Laboratories site, in Nook Lane, would become a warehouse for recycled uvpc granules if Lancashire County Council approves the application from Manchester-based Worldwide Waste Management in Manchester at meeting next month.

In August 2012, the illegal dumping of decaying rubbish on the site was blamed for huge swarms of flies.

Earlier this month Oswaldtwistle Tory councillors Judith Addison and Peter Britcliffe expressed concern about the scheme.

Under the plan, the existing building would be refurbished to hold the bags of granules for worldwide distribution by the company and the land surrounded by 2.4m high fencing.

There would be a static caravan “for site security” and five car parking spaces added.

Three full-time workers would be employed between 9am and 5pm.

Hyndburn’s chief planning and transportation manager Simon Prideaux has written to the county council formally objecting to the proposal.

His letter says that the site is in the Green Belt of land protected from development and the storage of recycled waste is not an appropriate use for the countryside outside the town.

Mr Prideaux says it would “have a significant impact on the openness of the Green Belt”.

He adds: “These products are best managed within an appropriate building on an industrial estate.

“The proposed development would also result in heavy goods vehicles using an access that is clearly not designed for such use and which has a poor quality junction with New Lane.”

Mr Morgan from Barnoldswick-based ADM said: “This is an appropriate use of a former industrial site.

“It will be far less of a nuisance.

“The proposals will make the site secure and any repeat of the fly-tipping and problems with flies and vermin far less likely.”