BUSINESSES which neighbour a Poole site earmarked for a large recycling facility are unhappy with construction work being carried out nearly seven years after planning permission was granted.

W&S Waste Management Ltd obtained planning permission to carry out the major project at the facility in Ling Road, Mannings Heath, in 2014.

Documents state preliminary excavations were carried out on the day prior to expiration of this permission 2017.

BCP Council has confirmed to the Daily Echo that the local authority was notified 17 days later at the time, adding that the communication mentioned work began prior to this notification.

However, nearby business owners have said little work beyond that has been carried over recent years. Outlook Management, neighbours of the site, said major building work “appears” set to be finally under way.

An Outlook spokesperson said: “There were vigorous well-founded objections made at the time.

“The objections have never been considered or responded to by the council or planning authorities.”

The firm’s concerns relate to claims of potentially increased traffic, pollution and vermin and the centre dominating the Poole skyline.

The business said “the fact that nothing had apparently been done for five years led those involved to understand the plan had been dropped”.

The spokesperson added: “If this does go ahead as it seems to be doing, I think the council owe compensation to the adjacent property owners, as it will probably not be possible to run our businesses in the shade of a food recycling plant.”

When original proposals for the new recycling facility were unveiled, the scheme was said to be a £10m plan to make Poole “a UK leader in waste”.

At the time, it was said the site could be up and running by August 2013.

However, the planning design was overhauled in 2014 to amend much of the previous application and allow receipt of food waste.

In response to the issues raised by Outlook Management, a BCP Council spokesperson said: “If appropriate works started prior to consent expiring then permission is triggered and exists in perpetuity.

“If it is felt there has been a breach we would invite residents to submit their concerns in writing for investigation.”

W&S Waste Management was approached for comment.