PLANS for a highly contentious cement works have resurfaced.
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) wants to relocate the current Hanson concrete batching plant from West Medina Mills, across the River Medina to vacant scrub land at Kingston, East Cowes.
SEEDA claims the move will enable Vestas to fully expand its new technology centre at West Medina Mills, which is expected to create 400 new jobs.
Similar plans, which were nearer to houses in the Cadets Walk area of the town, were withdrawn last year in the face of massive opposition from residents.
They fear noise and dust pollution, the hours of operation and lorry movements.
Maureen Dockerill, who lives near the proposed site, said their feelings had not changed.
She said: "It’s only been moved a few yards up the road. Our objections still stand. If anything, it will affect more people.
"As soon as you put one factory in an area, it becomes an industrial estate. We just don’t want it," she said.
"They can apply to run the plant for 24 hours on a number of occasions during the year, which would be awful. It’s totally ridiculous."
The original application attracted 150 comments on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning website, with RWE npower, operators of Cowes Power Station, among the objectors.
In a statement, SEEDA said: "SEEDA takes the concerns of the local community seriously and we always aim to minimise the impact of any work on residents.
"SEEDA has agreed a mitigation plan in place with Hanson to ensure the air quality is not adversely affected by the operation.
"We are also working closely with our consultants and contractors to ensure that noise will not exceed appropriate levels."
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk