An expansion plan at a mid Suffolk recycling centre where a large blaze recently took hold has been withdrawn following public outcry, says a county councillor.
Plans for Sackers Scrap Yard and Recycling Centre in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, were submitted to Suffolk County Council last month.
However, many residents objected to the expansion citing concerns over noise levels, the number of lorries using the site and, following a blaze on August 8 which was attended by dozens of firefighters, fire safety issues.
On Friday, Chris Chambers, who represents Gipping Valley on Suffolk County Council, and MP Patrick Spencer, for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, met with Sackers at the site.
Following their meeting, Mr Chambers confirmed the plans had been withdrawn.
"I met with Sackers earlier on today and they confirmed to me that they had withdrawn their plan due to the massive public outcry against the proposals," he said.
"I think they just felt, with that resentment from the community it wasn't a fight worth having."
Mr Chambers said there was a parish council meeting planned for September 24 where Sackers were set to present the application to residents.
He had also arranged for planning officers and a fire service representative to attend so the community could "get a really good understanding of the whole application and reasons behind it."
He said: "Clearly I want Sackers to be a successful local business - they employ, I believe, 82 people which are obviously all local and it is in our best interest to make sure they continue to operate."
The proposals included the extension of the site along the western boundary, which the applicant said would allow them to “operate more efficiently and safely” and would mean there was a “far lower risk” of fires as the piles of metal would be lower and easier to contain.
Mr Chambers said he and Mr Spencer would support Sackers going forward to ensure they "remain a valuable member of the local economy."
He also said he has plans to work with officers from Suffolk County Council to promote the safe disposal of lithium iron batteries, which firefighters said likely caused the blaze on August 8.
Mr Spencer said: "In response to concerns raised with me by local residents, I was pleased to visit Sackers today along with Cllr Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Waste.
"The meeting with Sackers was very constructive and I was reassured to learn that having listened to feedback from local residents, they have now withdrawn their planning application.
"This was my first meeting with Sackers and they are firmly committed to the local community and want to continue investing in the business and providing jobs in the local area.
"We also had a constructive conversation about how we can reduce the risk of lithium batteries finding their way into the waste system.
"Lithium iron batteries can be volatile, reacting to fluctuating temperatures and friction, and they can pose a risk when thrown away with commercial waste. This is something which I will be raising in Parliament when it returns after recess.
"Sackers is a great employer and a very well-established family businesses that we’re proud to have here in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich – they provide nearly 100 jobs for local people, pay into the exchequer and make a huge contribution into our local economy."
Sackers has been approached for comment.
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