FURTHER concerns have been raised by residents over a proposed waste storage site.

As previously reported by The Gazette, Sovereign Housing Association has applied to Hampshire Country Council to change the use of an area of waste ground in Tennyson Way, South Ham, to a waste storage site.

The site, owned by Sovereign, is surrounded by 29 properties, of which the association also owns a number.

In the plans, it is proposed that Sovereign will hold eight skips and containers on the site which will store items including bonded asbestos waste, paints and waste oils from domestic property clear outs.

Since more information regarding the plan has been released and a drop-in session with Sovereign was held, concerns concerns have not been eased, with residents worried the site will become a “target”.

Tony Skinner, who lives in Tennyson Way, said: “The area will become a target for theft and whatever damage can be caused.

“Anything put into a skip will be thrown out the moment the ground is unguarded.

“Sovereign’s plans to extend the driveway onto the land is even more untenable because of the traffic congestion, noise bouncing off the walls and above all creating a small enclave between the houses for all and sundry to play in.”

Richard Matthewson added: “I am truly dismayed that Sovereign are willing to endanger the lives of residents all over South Ham by using this area of unused land as a dumping ground for waste oils, gas discharge lamps and asbestos.

“The local house prices for this end of the estate will be severely reduced due to the proposal and everyone will suffer.”

Sovereign said on average there is to be expected six vans to visit the site each day, but it will restrict visits to between 8.30am and 3.30pm on weekdays.

Liane Sheppard, operations director for Sovereign, said: “Having submitted a planning application to invest in turning an unused area of waste land in Tennyson Way into a secure storage area, we’ve been talking to residents and local councillors to tell them more about our plans and to hear their suggestions and concerns.

"As well as improving the look of the area, with a new layout and new trees and shrubs, we’re also looking to create more parking for residents in the area as part of the changes.

“We held a drop-in event for residents this week to show them what the site will look like, and we can set up meetings with those households that couldn’t make it.

"We’ll now collate this feedback, review our plans as needed and we’ll keep our residents informed throughout this process.”

To view the plan, go to https://planning.hants.gov.uk/ and search for the reference 18/00763/CMA.