4:54pm Thursday 18th April 2002
A BATCHING plant dealing with almost 200,000 tonnes of concrete a year will be built near Watford Junction Station, despite protests by local residents.
The proposal involves 44 HGV lorry movements daily between 7am and 7pm.
A petition calling for planning permission to be refused, signed by 160 residents near the Orphanage Road goods yard, failed to stop the project.
The scheme was given the go-ahead by Hertfordshire County Council's planning committee last Tuesday.
Petition organiser Mr Peter Fraser said: "I feel that some councillors have ignored the environmental effect that this extra traffic will have as well as local residents views."
Watford Council was asked earlier this year to comment on the proposal, although it had no powers to stop the plant being built.
The council recommended to Hertfordshire County Council that it not be allowed.
As well as noise and dust concerns, Watford councillors said it would cause problems with plans for a new bus station at Watford Junction, designed as a centre piece for public transport.
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