A STORM of protest has erupted over a company's plans to develop a new landfill site in east Durham.

Durham company Premier Waste Management is to seek planning permission from Durham County Council to use a 188-acre site next to the A181, near Wingate Grange.

The firm says it will use the latest aerobic digester technology, which it has been pioneering, to minimise the impact of the dump.

But residents of the surrounding villages of Deaf Hill, Wheatley Hill and Wingate say they have had landfill operations on their doorsteps for decades and "enough is enough".

Durham county councillor for Wheatley Hill, Morris Nicholls, said: "We have had 70 years of waste being dumped in a nearby quarry and have had more than our fair share.

"We have spent years working to improve the environment and now this. We don't want any more tipping anywhere near here any more."

Councillor Len O' Donnell, of neighbouring Wingate, said: "I am not happy at all. We have asked Premier Waste to put the plans on hold. We are calling on our planning department to conduct a full review of other available sites."

The company already operates an experimental digester at Thornley. Almost eight per cent of the waste can be recovered and the remainder goes to the landfill site.

Its chief executive, Les Grant, said: "In light of the rapidly reducing amount of landfill void available in Durham, it is vital that a new landfill site is established in the county to ensure that Durham's waste can be safely dealt with over the next 20 years."

He added: "I understand the concerns of local people about the proposed landfill site and that is why we have a very open approach to consultation and have provided the local community with information in advance of submitting the application.

"Once the application is submitted, there will be a further period of statutory consultation when local people can have their questions answered and submit their views.

"It will then be up to the planning authority to make the final decision."

He said Wingate Grange had been chosen as a potential site because it had "extensive clay deposits which very substantially assist in ensuring the site can be effectively and safely engineered to protect the environment".

The site is also exceptionally well screened by woodland, he said.