A GROUP of campaigners in Hartlebury are locked in a battle with a waste company that plans to use a quarry as a landfill site.

Protesters from HALT - Hartlebury Against Landfill Toxins - believe the village is in danger of becoming a "dumping ground".

Residents, who formed the group four years ago, claim the proposed landfill site, off Whitlenge Lane, would have a "detrimental effect" on their quality of life.

The only thing stopping Biffa Waste Services, which already has planning permission to use the site, from using the quarry is the lack of an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Permit.

The company has submitted a new application to the Environment Agency for an IPCC permit after an attempt in January failed because inspectors were concerned about a risk to groundwater.

HALT's co-ordinator, Mark Massey, said: "We feel that enough is enough and that is why we are making this stand.

"It seems that they are going to make a lot of money from the rubbish but the people who live nearby will get nothing apart from the smell and nuisance.

"We are obviously concerned about the direct health risks but it will also cause other indirect problems. For instance, there will be a big increase in the number of trucks coming through the village.

"There needs to be a critical voice against landfill sites if, for nothing else, just to make sure they are being run in a safe way."

Barry Walton, spokesman for Biffa Waste Services, said: "The IPCC licence is a robust guideline that ensures landfill sites do not have any harmful effect on the environment or the people living nearby.

"Although we respect the concerns of residents, there is absolutely no question about any reduction to the safeguarding of the environment or the local community."

Residents have until tomorrow to write to the Environment Agency with objections to the application.

Any objections should be sent to SPG Bristol, Environment Agency, c/o Motion Media Technology Centre, Severn Bridge, Aust, Bristol, B35 4BC.