I have been following the plans by Hills to increase the MRF facility (rubbish processing) at Compton Bassett for at least two years. There seem to have been endless applications sent to the planning committee but all have been withdrawn at the last moment.

Returning from holiday last week I was interested to read in the Gazette & Herald (‘Waste firm states case on new plan’) that a public exhibition had been arranged by Hills about its plans for a ‘reduced’ extended capacity (actually, to double the amount of rubbish already processed at Compton Bassett) and that 45 people had attended this exhibition. I was sorry not to be able to attend, but reading the comments supposedly made by my Mr Webster of Hills it was perhaps a good job I didn’t. The arrogance of the statements defies belief. “‘Only’ 39 more lorries each day”.

Has Mr Webster spent any time walking, or living, along the narrow A4 out of Calne towards Quemerford? If he had, he would know about the thundering, massive, dangerous and sometimes stinking vehicles that pass along this route all day. Only another 49 a day and he was “surprised by some of the criticism received following the company’s original application in 2011”. And by the way, Mr Webster, if you are driving a lorry from the north or west of Calne you can’t avoid going through Calne, there isn’t another route.

According to the report, he even had the audacity to suggest that doubling the waste facility’s processing capacity was an “essential part of any infrastructure” because you need facilities like these.

No. The infrastructure we need in Calne should be about cycle paths, transport links, opportunities for young people, care for old people, clean air, efficient sewage systems, good schools, excellent medical facilities, enterprise units.

We do not need more rubbish lorries. You need those to increase your company’s profits, the community of Calne does not need them as part of our infrastructure.

Finally, I note that the planning consultation closes on July 11. It is probably me but I have searched and searched the Wiltshire Council website and have been unable to find any reference to the latest Hills planning application through the ‘consultation portal’ (or ‘recent planning applications in North Wiltshire’). Another smokescreen perhaps?

James C Laing, Round House, Calne.