A landfill site should be returned to the green belt, a councillor has said, as Gerrards Cross town council prepare to “battle” against plans to turn it into a waste centre.

Cllr Chris Brown, chairman of the town council, said they will be formally opposing plans to turn Wapseys Wood landfill site into a waste recovery facility (WRF) and biogas centre after plans were submitted by owners Veolia Environmental Services.

The WRF will divert waste that is currently going to landfill and will have a capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year if it is approved for when the landfill site reaches capacity next year.

Veolia also plan to create a plant which will convert up to 60 per cent of biodegradable waste into a gas which can be burned to produce electricity or heat. The residue can also be used in compost.

They also plan to produce fuel on the site by shredding waste, as well as an area for sorting, storing and transferring rubbish and recycling.

Cllr Brown said residents have been looking forward to the landfill site being returned to agricultural use and had previously been successful in fighting plans to extend its opening to 2020, so would oppose the latest plans.

He said: “We will be opposing it. Our hope was that the site would be closed down in 2017 because it is in green belt land and that it would be returned to agricultural use. The intention was to return it to its original state.

“We want it to close. It is 20 years too late already and we have had a few battles with [Veolia] before.”

Cllr Brown said allowing the site to continue as an industrial site could set a precedent that would allow Green Belt land to be released and disagreed with waste being brought into the site.

He said: “They are looking at it as a waste sorting site, bringing waste into the site and taking it out again, but it is not an industrial site, it is green belt. We are anxious that it is going to continue to be an industrial site.

“I hope we get a sympathetic hearing from the county council because they have supported us over the years.”

If the plans are approved, the site will create 48 full-time jobs.

Visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/environment/planning/planning-applications/viewing-planning-applications to view the details of application CM/17/16 and comment.

What do you think of the plans? Let us know by emailing stephanie.wareham@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01494 755 096.