An attempt to defer a consideration of plans to restore the old mineral workings at Sandon quarry with the use of local domestic waste failed by one vote at a meeting of Essex County Council's planning committee on Friday.

Instead, councillors agreed to tell the Department of Trans-port, Environment and the Regions (DETR) that their view was that the planning application, from Brett Waste Management Ltd, should be approved.

The county council could not give immediate permission, as the DETR has directed them not to do so, but to send their opinion to Secretary of State John Prescott, who will now decide if he wants to "call in" the plan for his own consideration.

Chelmsford Borough Council and the parish councils of Sandon, Great Baddow, and Danbury, and many local residents have strongly objected.

The objectors argued that the application was premature in advance of the public inquiry into the Essex Waste Plan, due to start in 12 weeks' time.

The waste plan also proposes Sandon as a major waste disposal site which could, it is feared, include an incinerator.

Chelmsford borough councillor Maurice Hurrell told the committee "It is impossible not to have regard to the implication of this application on the lives and property of Sandon residents."

The need for the type of facility proposed had not been demonstrated, he said.

Labour councillor Mervyn Juliff proposed that the application should be deferred until the results of the public inquiry into the Essex Waste Plan are known, but this was defeated by 11 votes to 10.

Chairman, Cllr Paul Sztumpf said afterwards: "This was one of the most technically difficult applications to come before the committee for some time.

"We listened carefully to local concerns, following which we obtained reassurances from the applicant on health, safety, and environmental issues."

Local MP, John Whittingdale, said he will ask Mr Prescott to "call in" the application.

He said "I am extremely disturbed because this site is totally unsuitable for a landfill site.

"Local people in Sandon are understandably very worried that they may find themselves living next door to a major disposal site with all the noise, environmental and health risks that entails.

"It is extraordinary that the county council has ignored all the objections and has gone ahead.''

with this provisional approval before the enquiry into its waste plan has even been held."

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