CONTROVERSIAL lagoons holding dirty water and fertiliser will be built despite opposition from villagers.

The plans to build the two lagoons near Gosfield Airfield, off Hedingham Road, were given the go-ahead at a meeting of Braintree Council.

It’s despite more than 50 objections being sent to the council from residents in Gosfield and neighbouring Sible Hedingham mainly regarding concerns about the smell and traffic.

Bob Waters, the chair of Gosfield Parish Council, said: “There’s no possibility of appeal so I’m afraid to say the fight is over, I’m sorry for the residents but we did our best.

“We had three main concerns - the danger of odours escaping from the site, the movement of lorries and the 500 metres of public footpath which will be shared with lorries.”

The lagoons will be used to store material produced by Ripper Farm Ltd which is based at the airfields.

The site where they will be built is located less than two miles away from Gosfield Hall, Gosfield School and St Margaret’s Prep School and Nursery.

Ron Volkwyn, the chairman of Sible Hedingham Council, said: “It’s largely a Gosfield issue but we did have some residents object to it.

“We objected to the plans when they came out on their behalf and I would imagine they’re not going to be pleased.

“Obviously any increase in traffic is a concern, especially HGVs, but the council have made their decision.”

A report which recommended the approval of the application said: “The proposed lagoons would be located in the countryside but are considered to constitute an appropriate countryside use.

“While the lagoons will be located relatively close to residential dwelling houses sufficient details have been submitted which show that the lagoons have been designed with these constraints in mind, and that unacceptable impacts would not take place.

“Therefore, it is recommended that the application is approved.”