NEIGHBOURS have lambasted the management of two waste sites on Newton Abbot's outskirts.

Operations at Ruby Farm waste management site at Abbotskerswell and Maddacombe Farm waste transfer site at Kingskerswell, which share the same management, were attacked by angry residents at a county council meeting.

Members of the development management committee (formerly development control) decided last Wednesday to see the sites for themselves.

Devon Recycling Ltd, which runs Ruby Farm, was accused of 'obfuscation' and 'delaying tactics', while Cox Waste Management, which runs Maddacombe Farm, was said to have pushed neighbours' patience to the limit.

Committee members heard that Devon Recycling had withdrawn its appeal against two enforcement notices and a planning refusal. It now intends to submit a fresh application.

Planning officer Mike Deaton said that a strict timetable had been imposed. The last area of landfill, which should have been restored last August now has a deadline of September this year. The new application, which would allow recycling to continue on the site has to be submitted by December 15.

David Lewis, chairman of the Abbotskerswell Environmental Action Group, said the situation had not changed since members visited it in 2006.

Cllr Roger Giles said: 'It is disgraceful what has gone on. There seems to be deliberate delay and obfuscation tactics. It's a sad reflection on the planning system that they have been allowed to get away with it.'

Richard Agnew, land and planning manager for Devon Recycling and Cox Waste since the start of June, said that specialists had been instructed to assist with the planning application and that he was willing to sign a statutory declaration promising it would be delivered on time.

'I understand there have been some very significant issues and we are in the process of addressing them,' he said.

Members next turned to an application from Maddacombe Farm for a new site layout following the resolution of a land ownership dispute.

The applicants want to use mobile crushing and screening equipment for up to 21 days a year. Residents pleaded for its refusal, saying their rural peace would be shattered.

Resident Mr Stewart said that if 35,000 tonnes of stone were crushed a year, estimates of 60x16 tonne lorries a day would be too low, the true figure would be closer to one hundred.

Norman Rowett, representing Maddacombe Road residents, said operators frequently breached planning conditions with lorries arriving before 8am.

'This proposal to expand the waste site and install a rock crusher on site is the final straw.'

Mr Agnew said that 35,000 tonnes was the total amount allowed onto the site and included the skip business as well.

He said he expected the stone crushing side of the business to be closer to 17,000 tonnes. He denied that materials were being sold at the gate, as was claimed.