THE waste disposal firm thrown into a conflict with protestors over increasing its operations claim to have been blind-sided by the steering group.

Eastern Waste Disposal has accused Brightlingsea Residents’ Action Group (Brag) of causing “unnecessary stress” to the public after waging a campaign against the company.

The company also addressed claims made on social media “which have at best been misguided, exaggerated and incorrect, with some bordering on libellous”.

A spokesperson for EWD Recycling Ltd said: “This is the first time anyone from Brag or Brightlingsea Town Council has contacted us to ascertain what our intentions, if any, were for this land, since the adoption of the Local Waste Plan earlier this year.

“The planning process gives all stakeholders chance to examine a detailed operational proposal that would cover every aspect, such as the types and volumes of materials, the operational hours and methods that would be required for the proposed activity.

“In these circumstances, it would only be right to expect the community to work together to organise a constructive campaign to address the concerns that would naturally arise.”

READ MORE: PROTESTERS FIGHT AGAINST GROWING WASTE SITE

Gazette:

Brag's peaceful protest this week in Morses Lane, Brightlingsea

While Brag chairman Ian Samways said the aim is to block EWD from submitting a planning application to expand in Brightlingsea, the firm says it has no plans to submit one for recycling inert waste there.

He said: “In the short term we may apply for some ancillary activities, such as staff car parking and storage of plant and empty skips.

"If we do put in such an application, we would of course be happy to meet with the town council to discuss any potential proposals we submit.

“We would also suggest to conduct this in the most productive manner, the hostility shown by BRAG is reigned in, and the site used in a positive manner to discuss actual details of actual operational proposals, and the implications that come with them."