Norfolk County Council's Planning (Regulatory) Committee voted 12-0 to grant retrospective planning permission for an aggregate recycling facility at Burrell Way Trade Park in Thetford, after the operator installed equipment and buildings that differed from what was originally approved in 2023.

The changes included a bespoke washer plant, two buildings roughly twice the height of neighbouring premises, new acoustic fencing, and a silt press — all put in place before planning permission was sought. The operator's agent, Jane Stewart, told the committee the tight contract timeline meant machinery had to be installed first, or the business risked losing the contract entirely.

The facility sits on the boundary of the Breckland Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), though assessments concluded there were no adverse effects on it. The nearest homes in Thetford are 350 metres away, shielded by other industrial units.

Complaints had been received from nearby businesses about dust, noise and emissions. The Environment Agency worked with the operator to put mitigation measures in place and confirmed it was now satisfied with the site. Dust suppressant systems and spray bars on the mobile crusher are used to keep dust levels in check, with ongoing monitoring by the Environment Agency.

Committee members raised concerns about HGV traffic adding to congestion in Thetford. Officers confirmed an HGV Management Plan encourages vehicles to use the A11 rather than local roads, though no formal routing restrictions apply.

A separate concern centred on a footpath along the site boundary that had been narrowed from the approved two metres to 1.4 metres to accommodate an existing telegraph pole. The vice chair flagged potential implications for disabled access, though highways authorities raised no objection to the reduced width.

The facility recycles approximately 100,000 tonnes of aggregate products for the construction industry each year, saving around 50,000 tonnes of waste from going to landfill. Officers said the site plays a role in the circular economy by preserving aggregate supply chains in the region.