Residents in Allerton are campaigning against a recycling plant which they claim will store toxic chemicals next to their homes.

They do not want hazardous waste handled in a residential area and have objected to the plans for Prospect Works.

"It's a totally unsuitable place to be dealing with potentially hazardous chemicals," said pensioner Jean Wood, whose bungalow in Bronshill Grove backs onto the site.

"I couldn't believe it when I looked at the plans, especially when I saw that the storage containers would be situated at the bottom of our garden.

"I'm disgusted. It would be a serious health and environmental hazard. All the residents would be forced to put up with noise and pollution and it would also affect the wildlife in the area.

"I've written to the Environment Agency and the Council objecting to the plan and I'm appealing to other residents to do the same."

She said only a few houses in the area appear to have been told of the plans.

"When I've spoken to them they've been absolutely horrified," she added.

Her husband, Harold, said: "This type of recycling plant should be at a purpose-built site on an industrial estate and not a few feet away from people's homes. We've got until Wednesday to object so people need to act quickly."

Bentham & Holroyd Ltd, who already operate from the site in Allerton Road, have applied for permission to set up the waste recycling facility for spent lamp lighting products in the building.

They claim it is an environmentally-friendly scheme which stops the chemicals being dumped in the ground.

Managing director Ian Christey said: "Up until now these fluorescent lamps have been disposed of by putting them in landfills. The mercury then gets into the ground, it rains and it gets into the water system.

"We recycle the whole light and then extract the chemicals. We are dealing with potentially hazardous waste but it will all be done inside the building.

"I would be prepared to talk to any residents who are concerned about the scheme and show them round the site.

"We are actually helping them by disposing of these chemicals in a safe way rather than letting these lights be left in landfills close to their homes."

A Bradford Council planning spokesman said the recycling plant would also need a Waste Management Licence and Integrated Pollution Control Authorisation, which are issued by the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency said the company had only applied for a Waste Management Licence so far and a decision would be made this week.

"The company will be extracting mercury from halogen tube lights found in offices and certain types of street lights and for this they will need a pollution control licence," a spokesman said.

"The company will have to prove to us that they can deal with it safely."

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