A recycling plant near Romsey will not be allowed to pile waste seven metres high as the council blocked the move.

Waltet Materials Ltd was prevented from increasing the stockpile height at Salvidge Farm in Bunny Lane, Timsbury, after objections from residents, parish councils and county councillors.

The 6.2-hectare site can handle up to 150,000 tonnes of inert construction and demolition waste a year and non-hazardous commercial and industrial wastes.

Waltet Materials had wanted to increase stockpile heights in the northern and southern areas since the site is required to provide flexibility in its operations.

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Hampshire County Council blocked the application (Image: LDR)It said that the current four-metre height limit often prevents operators from fulfilling their business’s annual commitment by preventing them from storing more material waiting to be processed at the site.

However, concerns were raised over the visual impact on the countryside and planning permission has been refused.

R Baldieri said stockpiles have always been “in breach” of the original planning conditions, and “yet nothing has been done to reduce them”.

He added that the application is “another example of creeping changes that have happened on this site over the past few years.

“I do not think this is appropriate in the countryside as increased stockpile height will inevitably lead to more lorry movements in the future,” they added.

Sophie Walder, a local resident, said that noise levels have increased over the last few years, sometimes disturbing the family as early as 7am.

“We are extremely concerned that if the stockpile heights are increased and development is permitted, noise pollution and antisocial hours will increase,” she said.

“Consequently, having an impact on our family’s life and also fellow residents enjoyment of a peaceful, semi-rural location.”

Braishfield Parish Council and Michelmersh and Timsbury Parish Council also objected.

The comments said that the supporting documents have not properly assessed the potentially significant impacts of the seven-metre stockpile heights.

It is also mentioned that the perimeter bunds will not provide enough acoustic screening.

Cllr Nick Adams-King objected to the proposal in his role as a Test Valley Borough Council councillor.

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He said that residents regularly complained about the site’s visual impact and noise.

“Landscape and noise are particularly an issue for local residents who are disturbed by it.”