An official row has deepened over a proposed processing plant for construction waste, amid mounting criticism of a public consultation.

Earlier this week it was claimed that Essex County Council has failed to properly publicise a consultation, running until July 30, about a proposed waste recycling depot in Hastingwood, next to junction seven for the M11.

Opponents to the proposal, which is being considered against several others, claim it could pollute green belt land and homes, increase existing traffic problems and threaten nearby St Clare Hospice.

North Weald Parish Council has claimed plans could see “a minimum of eight large lorries entering and exiting the site every hour”, and there are fears that it could lead to heavy traffic through Epping.

Responding to concerns, planning and environment councillor Roger Hirst said: “Given the high demand for additional inert recycling capacity in the plan area and an absence of sites being promoted to the council, it was deemed appropriate that the recycling facility at Hastingwood should be considered via consultation.

“In relation to traffic movements, the site has been assessed by the ECC Highways team who have deemed the existing access arrangement satisfactory subject to further consideration at planning application stage.”

Despite concerns that too few people know about the consultation, cllr. Hirst claimed it “goes beyond the statutory requirement”, with letters, adverts and “engagement events” about the plans.

At a meeting of Epping Forest District Council on Tuesday (July 21), which also considered similar proposals for a site in Langston Road, Loughton, the six-week consultation was widely criticised.

Council leader councillor Chris Whitbread said: “I am most displeased with the county council, particularly with this consultation which has been foisted upon us without proper time to actually consult – which is what it is meant to be.

“I am equally disappointed that they have attended ‘duty to co-operate’ meetings and nothing has come up there, and indeed they have not listened to those meetings because otherwise they would have known the pressure on junction seven, and that is why we are pressing for junction 7a.

“They have shown no regard for what is going on in Epping Forest with regards to Langston Road and I am just underwhelmed by the way the county behave… they are seeking for closer partnership with district and boroughs across Essex and this is the way they behave.

“It is unacceptable, it is disappointing.”

To comment on the Hastingwood proposal, visit the consultation website.