A SKIP hire firm has applied for planning permission to create a recycling and hire operation centre - despite facing strong opposition for a similar proposal last year.

Cheshire County Council is currently considering the revised application from Ash Skip Hire Ltd, for change of use at land adjacent to the Brunner Mond combined heat and power plant, on Winnington Lane.

The company's previous request was withdrawn - before a formal decision was made - based on issues of access to the site and the close proximity to properties on Hollybank Close.

Now the company has amended its original plans by moving the proposed access road further from residential areas and has also included plans to build an acoustic fence around the site to mitigate noise volume from vehicles, but residents are still unhappy.

Ian Gorton, Cheshire county council environmental planning officer, said: "We are still in the consultation stage at the moment but that period is due to close now.

"We have had around 25 letters of objection so far, focusing on issues with vehicles going up and down Park Road, vehicles travelling along the access road and the noise of vehicles as they join Hollybank Close."

One Hollybank Close resident said: "The whole thing is unsuitable and dangerous to the public and unacceptable to me as a resident.

"Every time I look through my windows, I will see large vehicles metres away, making noise, emitting diesel fumes and creating dust."

A final decision will be made at the next planning regulatory committee meeting in June.