A WASTE management firm is free to expand its building in Otterbourne despite strong opposition.

Otterbourne Parish Council and Otterbourne Conservation Group both opposed the plans by Hazardous Waste Management, based on Kiln Lane. The city council also received six letters of objection.

Dr Paul Haycock, who lives on Kiln Lane, said: “This would be a complete travesty to transform a rural site into an industrial wasteland.”

The proposal was for a single-story extension to the existing converted barn.

Objectors said the scale of the development is inappropriate and there were concerns it may have an adverse effect on the adjacent ancient graveyard of St Matthew’s Church.

“It more than doubles the size of the building. It is an incremental new building, not an extension. The sheer size is inappropriate,” Dr Haycock said.

But councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the plans at a meeting in the Guildhall yesterday.

Andy Partridge, representing the applicants, said: “Given that we have had such a deep recession, the opposition to developing a local business is disappointing”.

Mr Partridge also said the extension would mean new jobs.

Cllr Robert Johnston voted in favour of the proposal. He said: “We support the rural economy and the three new jobs created are worthwhile.”

Work is likely to begin in the New Year.