An application for a recycling centre to run around the clock is up for approval after it split opinion among residents in Blackrod.

J Dickinson and Sons Ltd is asking the council to change the conditions on its planning permission from more than 20 years ago.

Currently the recycling centre on Station Road is allowed to operate machinery between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday and for limited hours on Saturdays. It is asking to operate machinery 24 hours a day Monday to Friday and for longer hours on Saturdays, as well as to open for maintenance on Sundays.

The application to run around the clock split opinion among residents in the area, 12 of whom wrote letters for the proposal, and 22 of whom wrote letters against the proposal. Their issues range from an increase in noise pollution at the site to an increase in traffic on the roads around J Dickinson and Sons Ltd.

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The application said: "The proposals will provide increased processing time which will result in increased recycling and recovery of waste. 

"The extension of hours will help to increase local recycling rates and national recycling rates by allowing increased throughput of material."

A report for consideration by the Planning Committee recommends approval on the basis a change from diesel-powered machinery to electric-powered machinery limits noise pollution, and there is no increase on traffic on the roads, as the restrictions on the vehicles making collections and deliveries are to remain.

It is understood 24-hour operation is to result in an additional 20 jobs at J Dickinson and Sons Ltd, which according to its website started as a haulage business with a horse and cart more than 80 years ago.

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The report said: "The proposal will not impact vehicle movements, air quality (odour and dust) or any other aspects of operations. No additional buildings are proposed and no additional lighting will be required. 

"The proposal satisfies the requirements of the Core Strategy."

The Planning Committee meet at the town hall this week.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.