People living near Hove rubbish tip ask for it to be moved

Neighbours of Hove waste and recycling site off Old Shoreham Road want an end to early morning noise at the tip.

Twelve neighbours of them want it moved away from people’s homes and have asked Brighton and Hove City Council for an “operations review” in the short term.

In the long-term, they want the site moved to a non-residential area, having spent three years complaining to the operator Veolia.

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Alison Lovegrove, who has lived in the area since before the tip existed, said the site had only become a problem in recent years.

She was part of a deputation to a meeting of the full council at Hove Town Hall.

The council was told that, since early last year, loud bangs and grinding noises have been starting at the site at 7am every weekday and 8am at weekends without any explanation.

The Hove site (Image: The Argus)

The noises started before Veolia secured planning permission to open earlier in March last year and the neighbours said they had not been consulted or given any information or explanation.

Ms Lovegrove said: “An acoustic fence was put up, without consultation with residents, which was completely ineffective. But when we continue to complain, we are reminded about the fence.

“Sleep and rest is still interrupted, especially for those of us who don’t choose to wake before 7am or who work unconventional hours.

“The noise is also causing stress from the invasive effects on cognitive functioning, disruption of work for those of us working from home, when windows are open, and reduction of enjoyment of use of our gardens.

“We have residents of various ages who are noise sensitive for medical reasons, who are finding the situation intolerable.”

Councillors were told bad smells had also worsened since summer 2020 when odour went from being an occasional nuisance to a daily and more noticeable occurrence.

She said: “On some days, local residents notice the odour from early in the morning until late into the evening, even outside of the hot weather season.

“The odour is noticeable as far up as the Sackville crossroads to down into Poets Corner despite Veolia apparently using ‘deodorisers’.”

There are also more flies in the area despite fly traps installed at the site.

The deputation was referred to the next meeting of the environment, transport and sustainability committee on November 19.