Cockfield recycling company win green light for new industrial unit - with 28 conditions

Plans for a new industrial unit on 'meadow' land have been given the green light after business owners promised to abide by strict conditions.

Firstgrade Recycling Systems Limited has been given the go-ahead for the unit measuring 54.9m by 25m, with a maximum height of 10.1m, on land to the east of Sudbury Road, Cockfield.

The new workshop building will be used for the fabrication and manufacture of machinery for the waste processing and recycling industry, and to allow the company to take on another planned 14 employees.

A separate area for car parking will also be created, as well as for storage equipment, along with a new electrical sub station, and office.

Firstgrade Recycling, which already operates from the site, had looked for other locations but decided its best option was to expand on its existing site.

The initial plans however prompted around 40 objections mainly based around concerns about the size of the unit, increased light and noise pollution, and screening, on what local people describe as 'meadow' land.

Fears were also raised that the business would be able to run 24 hours each day.

But at the Babergh District Council planning committee last week, the plans were given the go-ahead, with strict conditions.

Steve Ball, clerk to Cockfield Parish Council, said: “Officers have imposed around 28 conditions for this to go ahead, more than for developments much much bigger in size.

“These restrictions meet our concerns, with the building being moved further back from a nearby property to start, working hours restricted to daytime hours, with exceptions, as well as our concerns about lighting and noise being addressed."

The company has been permitted to work on necessary occasions out of daytime hours on a maximum of 20 occasions a year.

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