A controversial application to build an incinerator on the edge of a market town has been approved despite fears the area is becoming "a rubbish tip" for the region.

Suffolk County Council has voted in favour of the application to build an incinerator in Ellough, near Beccles.

The bid for Benacre Road by VC Cooke saw strong opposition raised by parish councils and residents.

Among the objectors was Worlingham Parish Council, which in a statement after the vote said it was "fed up with being considered as the rubbish tip" for the county.

The granting of permission for the incinerator comes after an ongoing controversy over a planning application to build an anaerobic digestor next to an existing operating digestor at Ellough.

That bid is for near the site which has been outlined for the newly approved incinerator on Benacre Road.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: The existing Anaerobic Digestor site in Ellough, by WorlinghamThe existing Anaerobic Digestor site in Ellough, by Worlingham (Image: Denise Bradley)

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In a statement, Worlingham Parish Council said: "VC Cooke have been given planning permission to install an incinerator and chimney on their site at Ellough, very close to the proposed 1,250 dwellings on the Beccles and Worlingham Neighbourhood Garden development.

"Our concerns are that the emissions from this site could be damaging to the health of residents nearby.

"It is also close to Worlingham CEVP school, the children attending are from preschool age to 11 years old.

"We also voiced our concerns about the additional road transport movements which are predominantly diesel lorries.

"The casting vote was made by the chairman.

"We are saddened that the application was not refused for further enquires to be made and angry that the chairman clearly is not listening to the local residents.

"We are also awaiting a Suffolk County Council planning application later this year for a food waste anaerobic digester, next to the current AD on the Worlingham Ellough border.

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"We are fed up with being considered as the rubbish tip for the east of Suffolk."

Beccles Town Council and parish councils covering North Cove, Barnby, Shadingfield, Sotterley, Willingham and Ellough were among over 30 other objectors to the scheme.

VC Cooke declined to comment on the plans.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: The proposed new anaerobic digestor site, an extension of the existing anaerobic digestor, is the brown ploughed field in the pictureThe proposed new anaerobic digestor site, an extension of the existing anaerobic digestor, is the brown ploughed field in the picture (Image: Denise Bradley)