RESIDENTS are preparing to lodge an objection as a company intending to construct a permanent ‘ash mountain’ near their homes has submitted another application, after the first was abandoned.

Fortis IBA Limited had applied to build the storage area for incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA), a by-product of waste incineration, at the Enviropark near the A303. The stockpile was given temporary permission during the pandemic, but the company had applied to make the site permanent.

The plans were withdrawn in June, with the company stating that after a “revaluation of storage needs” and consultations, it would resubmit plans.

Earlier this month, the fresh application was submitted to Hampshire County Council. The new application sees the proposed size reduced to 1.7 hectares, with previous plans to extend into a neighbouring woodland strip scrapped.

In planning documents, A Fortis IBA spokesperson wrote: “Following a gradual recovery of IBAA sales/exports in recent months, the business has reviewed its operational requirements, in addition to comments received from consultees and members of the public.

“The recovery of sales performance has resulted in a lesser storage capacity requirement, enabling the plantation woodland to be removed from the application area.”

Reacting to the new application, Keep Test Valley Beautiful (KTVB), which represents residents against the plans, said the team has commissioned a consultant to study the fresh application, but will need to raise around £4,000 to fund professional advisors.

David Wright, representing KTVB, said: “We are on the case. If after proper consideration of the application we feel there are appropriate grounds for objection we will shortly circulate suggested objection points for consideration.”

He added: “But there is no need to wait. Consultation closes in just four weeks so urgent action is important.

“It’s important that individuals express their concerns. Numbers count.”

Members of the public can view the application, and submit responses until October 15, at: https://planning.hants.gov.uk/Planning/Comment/HCC/2021/0545

Plans for the site were originally submitted in February, with plans for 5m high mounds of earth and a large concrete base for the ash store, as well as a lagoon to prevent leaching of the contents into the nearby chalk aquifer, with IBAA containing hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen.

Residents did not become aware of the proposals until April, after which point the consultation had closed. Parish councils for the nearby villages successfully campaigned to have the consultation reopened after raising concerns over the public consultation process.

KTVB had just submitted an extensive objection to the plans in July when they learned the plans were withdrawn. In this objection, they had argued the plan would have contravened elements of Hampshire County Council’s waste management plan, being surplus to requirements, having “an adverse impact” on protected species such as dormice, and raised concerns about the impact on public health following alleged ash escape from the existing stockpile.