Homeowners are fuming over plans to dump 350,000 tonnes of rubble from nearby construction projects near their homes.

Waste disposal company Decharge Ltd has applied to the council for permission to build a landfill site in picturesque Tiverton, in Devon.

The company wants to transport 350,000 tonnes of soil, stones, and inert construction material to a plot three quarters of a mile near to homes.

The plan would see 40-tonne HGV lorries driving through the estate's narrow roads "every 7.5 minutes", documents say."

The soil and rubble is expected to come from nearby construction projects.

The land proposed for waste disposal was previously used as an illegal dumping area.

Locals insist the opposition isn't due to "nimbyism" - and they are worried about traffic and fear the plot could be used to dispose of nuclear waste in the future - a claim denied by the council."

Local resident Andy Fields, 60, bought his farm which lies half a mile from the Greenway site seven years ago and is opposed to the plans which would see the lorries drive right by his house.

Andy, who has turned his farm into a nature reserve and runs tree planting charity Gift a Tree, said: "It’s a two-way road. You’ve got the hedge touching both of your wingmirrors."

"To turn some fields into a dumping ground next to our idyllic town for waste is a disgrace."

"I believe it will be devastating for wildlife. The council do not give a rat's arse."

"It's not nimbyism. The site is way out of view for most residents. It's the traffic which is the concern. We believe there is an ulterior motive." "

Local resident Karl, 35, manager of a tech startup, who is heading up the town’s opposition to the plans, said: "Everyone is really unhappy. "

"It brings a lot of additional risk, a lot of noise pollution, and a lot of traffic."

"We want to protect where we live - it's an inappropriate place to have it."

Some locals have claimed the site has links to Hinkley Point nuclear power station – something vehemently denied by Devon County Council.

Residents have formed a Residents Against Greenway Landfill action group and begun fundraising for to get professional assistance to oppose the plans.

They have raised almost £4,000.



Councillor Rebecca Clarke, who opposes the plans, said: "It is a cliche to say that if approved, somebody will get killed, but with a play area along the route, children will be using the road, they'll be playing out in summer, and the result of a severe injury, or worse, cannot be ruled out." "

The plans have reached the second stage and are now awaiting consultees to respond before it goes to Devon County Council's Development Management Committee on April 24 - but a date for a final decision has not yet been set.

A spokesperson for Decharge Ltd said: "With the small number of vehicles utilising the lane leading to Uplowman Road, the frequency of vehicles travelling in opposing directions due to the proposed scheme is likely to be low."



"With the majority of these interactions assumed to be those of HGVs hauling material to the fill area, it is proposed that the site operator will utilise vehicles equipped with CB radios to enable drivers to radio ahead to make sure the road ahead is clear." "

It is not yet known when a decision over the site will be made.

Devon County Council said: "The site, if approved, will be for inert waste only (soils and stones)."

"It will definitely not be for nuclear waste."

"It will be determined by DCC development management committee at some point in the future, but no date is yet confirmed."

The land proposed for waste disposal was previously used as an illegal dumping area leading to the prosecution of the former landowner Stephen Dibble in 2016, who was fined £6,435.