South Kesteven District Council has approved a new waste depot close to Grantham town centre, despite some concerns from nearby residents about potential noise and odour.

The new facility for the council's Waste Services and Ground Maintenance teams will be located at the former Fenland Foods site on Turnpike Close.

Set to replace the current council depot on Mowbeck Way, the newly approved two-storey facility will also feature a vehicle workshop, office space, staff amenities, and a HGV service yard.

The council, as the applicant, explained: "The site will not be used for storage or sorting of general refuse waste, but will have seven skips used for holding mainly sorted building waste materials."

They added: "Given the previous use of the site as a food processing facility with HGV deliveries and dispatch, it is considered that the proposed usage for this development will integrate into the area without detrimental effect on the surroundings.

"The site will generally operate between 7am and 6pm, but with the possibility of some minor activities outside of this for emergencies."

During Friday's meeting, Grantham St Vincent's ward Councillor Charmaine Morgan (Independent) hailed the development as a "much-needed amenity" as she voted in its favour.

On the planning application, Sally Dunlop, residing just across the road from the proposed development at Hill Court, raised concerns about the impact of noise and odours on local businesses.

She added: "There is social housing very close by, which will have the noise of a factory on their doorsteps."

However, Principal Development Management Planner Adam Murray assured that measures, including a 3m acoustic fence at the northern boundary, have been implemented to mitigate noise.

He also noted: "There is no actual odorous material being stored on site."