Councillors opposed plans by their own council to change the opening times of a rubbish collection depot.

Waste management firm Enterprise currently uses Maldon District Council’s depot at Promenade Park in Maldon to collect waste and recycling under contract with the council.

Planning conditions laid down in 2011 say the site can only be used between 6am and 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and not at any time on Sundays or bank holidays.

But the council wanted to change this so that the site can operate on Good Fridays and any other times agreed in writing.

However, councillors refused, on the grounds of unacceptable levels of nuisance from noise and vehicle movements on a non-working day and extra traffic.

Mark Durham, chairman of the council’s community services committee, said the contractor will be making alternative arrangements.

Waste collections were still held yesterday.