THE operator of the Heathfield landfill site has been praised by residents for early consultation on plans to expand operations at the works, near Kingsteignton.
At an exhibition last week, Viridor Waste Management aired plans for additional landfill, materials recycling, handling and sorting of untreated commercial and industrial waste and an enclosed composting facility for green and kitchen waste within the boundaries of the existing site.
Dan Cooke, Viridor external affairs manager, commented that the exhibition had been useful for the company.
'The pleasing aspect was that there were more positive and constructive comments than concerns raised, especially regarding the recycling centre,' he said.
Increased traffic and landscaping were two major concerns aired at the exhibition, both issues that will be looked at in more depth by the company.
Parish council chairman Cllr Beryl Austen was among a stream of visitors to the exhibition at Rydon community centre.
'I welcome current initiatives by local companies like Viridor and WBB because they are consulting with residents on a much more frank and widespread basis then they have done in the past.
'Viridor have been very good to Kingsteignton in contributing money to the youth club and, because they have been involved in that process, I think they are more in touch with the community,' said Cllr Austen.
District councillor Sandra Heath said: 'All companies in Kingsteignton, WBB and Viridor have woken up to the fact that they need to bring the community in with them.'
Cllr Heath said of the plans: 'The biggest problem in the future, which was quite an eye opener for me, is that now we have removed cardboard and green waste we are left with the smelly waste without the natural suppressors.
'That may cause problems with the transportation through the village.'
Higher Sandygate resident Ken Tuckett feared that the company had not given 'the big picture'.
Mr Tuckett is concerned that the landfill waste of West Devon and the South Hams will be accepted by Heathfield after Plymouth's major landfill site, Chelston Meadow, is filled by 2006.
'Kingsteignton, by "development creep", is in danger of becoming the main waste disposal and management centre in the county,' he said.
'Residents are entitled to early full public consultation and debate with both Viridor and Devon County Council.'
A spokesman for Plymouth City Council maintained that the decision was 'subject to the outcome of a major tendering exercise at the end of the year'. Mr Cooke said that Viridor had a facility closer to Plymouth, in Liskeard, which may be fully operational by the time Chelston Meadow closes.
Residents have been invited to a meeting of the Viridor liaison group on Tuesday.