A CAMPAIGN against a proposed landfill site near a village has been launched.

Premier Waste Management wants to operate an environmentally-friendly facility at Wingate Grange Farm, Wingate, east Durham, off the A181.

The 188-acre site will use an aerobic digester, which reclaims biodegradable waste for recycling.

But villagers fear it will affect their homes with noise, bad smells and increased traffic.

Wingate businessman Cliff Walker said: "We believe will be a major blight on surrounding residential, business and leisure communities for the next 20 years."

Other areas they believe could be harmed include Wheatley Hill, the south of residential Peterlee and its industrial estates, Castle Eden and Castle Eden Golf Course.

They also fear Deaf Hill and the Trimdons will also be affected, but to a lesser extent.

Mr Walker has helped set up the Wingate Against Refuse (War) campaign group, to run a co-ordinated protest between the villages.

He said: "Anyone who has driven past the quarry landfill site at Coxhoe will understand our major concerns - smell, dust, rubbish blowing about and traffic."

He met this week with his constituency MP, Tony Blair, and handed over a 1,100-signature petition, collected in only four days.

"This site will be as close to Mr Blair's constituency home as it will be to my home," he said.

"He was very helpful and promised to take this application and investigate it thoroughly."

The Prime Minister's constituency agent, John Burton, said he was already looking into the development.

Dr Les Grant, chief executive of Premier Waste Management, said establishing a landfill site was vital for County Durham's waste to be safely dealt with over the next 20 years.

He promised his company would take an open approach to public consultation.

"The design of modern landfill sites is far removed from that of the old massive landfill tip," he said.

"At this site we plan to use the latest techniques to limit the impact on the local environment.

"Our plan is for a clean, well-managed site that will have the lowest impact possible on the surrounding area."

He said Wingate Grange was chosen because it has unique attributes.

"The Wingate Grange site benefits from having extensive clay deposits, which very substantially assist in ensuring the site can be effectively and safely engineered to protect the environment," he said.

Anyone interested in joining the campaign against the landfill site is asked to contact Mr Walker on 07768 044484.