AFTER scores of objections from local people, a planning application for an asphalt processing plant in Polyphant has been withdrawn.

Scott Mann, Conservative MP for North Cornwall, has welcomed the news of the decision made by CORMAC to withdraw their earlier planning application.

They had proposed to construct the plant in Blackhill Quarry near the A30, and CORMAC published a report saying it was for the production of coated stone for tarmac.

As a result, many local people objected to the application, claiming the plant would cause pollution, impact the local environment, and increase traffic movements on the nearby A30 junction.

Mr Mann received 53 letters of objection from residents of Polyphant and Lewannick, particularly regarding the fact that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had not been conducted.

Writing to Phil Mason, head of planning, to express concern on behalf of his constituents, Mr Mann asked that an EIA be conducted as the proposal had ‘clear ramifications for the local environment’, he added: “It also appears that local residents have been given little and insufficient information about emissions from the asphalt plant.

“Constituents have also stressed to me that the contours of the landscape plus the prevailing winds mean both Polyphant and Lewannick will be affected.”

Upon hearing that the application had been withdrawn, Mr Mann said: “I’m glad that CORMAC have withdrawn their application. The main theme from constituents was that they hadn’t received enough information on the proposal, and they were rightly concerned about the potential negative impacts to the environment.

“I’m glad that CORMAC are seeking to expand their tarmac production operation, but due to the location of Blackhill Quarry, I don’t think it was a suitable location, especially as the materials were not going to be sourced from there.

“A plant like this needs to be sited somewhere which is easy to reach for vehicles and where it won’t impact the natural environment.”