ANGRY residents are concerned that a waste transfer site which has caused them ‘years of misery’ could be extended.

The owners of the site, at Waterbarn Mill, Stacksteads, have applied for permission to expand by almost a third.

Newchurch and Stacksteads residents said they have experienced problems with rats and flies coming into their homes from the site.

They said owners Shadlock Skips leave the plant doors open.

However, bosses have said after dozens of site visits by the borough and county councils and the environment agency following complaints, they have never been found in breach of the regulations.

Gladys Monk, 87, is housebound and lives 30 yards from the site in Brandwood Park.

She said: “The noise is tremendous. It is damaging my health.

“At night, the floodlights there are so bright, I don’t have to turn any of the lights on at that side of my house.

“I’ve had to have environment people come and remove rats and mice from my garage, and my house has been infested by flies.”

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “The site is noisy, dusty and smelly.

“We’ve had years of misery since it opened.”

The operators applied to extend the site by 260 square metres and erect a number of metal sheets to act as walls.

Chris Jones, owner of Shadlock Skips, said: “These complaints are completely exaggerated.

“Nobody wants to live next to a waste transfer site and I don’t blame them.

“But we bring jobs to the area and Waterbarn Mill is needed. We get checked out every time someone complains.

“If the agencies thought we were in breach, they would have shut us down.

“We have left the door open, and we have a skip parked outside, which we aren’t technically supposed to do.

“But if we get permission to extend the place, then we won’t have to do this anymore and everybody will be a lot happier.”