BASILDON could be saddled with yet another major waste site if new plans for a depot dealing with 49,000 tonnes of junk are approved.

Heard Environmental, a waste disposal company based on Basildon’s Burnt Mills industrial estate, has applied to Essex County Council for permission to open a waste transfer station on three acres of land off wasteground off Terminus Drive, Pitsea.

The site, which would be used to sort rubbish and recycling before it is moved to other sites, would have 50 lorries trundling in and out each day.

The news comes as the Echo can reveal there are fears nearby Veolia-run Pitsea landfill site may have to stay open for another year, adding to pressure on Pitsea Hall Lane.

The latest application has also renewed calls for the weak bridge in Pitsea Hall Lane over the c2c railway line to be strengthened amid safety fears.

Loraine Fletcher, 36, from Chestnut Road, Pitsea, is objecting.

She said: “We have already got the landfill site which reeks so much in the summer we can’t even open the windows.

If we get another one literally under our kitchen window we will never be able to sell this flat because we already have the A13 and railway line.”

Keith Bobbin, a Labour Pitsea councillor, said: “Pitsea has had enough of this. We have got the landfill site, Courtauld Road was passed this year, and now this.

The road can’t take another 100 lorry movements a day, especially not over the bridge.”

The bridge has been under a protection scheme, meaning traffic has to pass in single file for several years, but plans to strengthen it have been on hold due to a funding row.

Mr Bobbin said: “The bridge is so weak, I do not think it will take that many more vehicles. Network Rail owns the bridge, but they have been trying to get more money out of Veolia for the work, it needs strengthening and a footpath.”

Mr Bobbin sits on a liaison group of residents which meet with Veolia about the landfill site.

He added: “Because of all the recycling there is less going into landfill and the tip is not filling up quickly enough so Veolia are talking about keeping it open now until 2018, that is the rumour.

If this new application is passed there could be big traffic issues in the road for years to come.” Fellow Pitsea councillor Aiden McGurran said: “Yet again Pitsea is being dumped on.

I am not happy with the timing of this application.

People had until Christmas day to object, but at that time of year they have other things on their mind, so I have asked if the county council will allow an extension.”