A district council committee voted 6-5 to approve plans by Chichester Grain Ltd to use former grain stores in Priors Leaze Lane, Hambrook, for the processing of rape seed and waste vegetable oil from the catering industry to produce biodiesel.

But permission was limited initially to a period of four years, during which the operation will be monitored, and also subject to planning conditions.

Planning officers recommended approval, claiming the proposals were in line with Government policy, and had no implications for a policy of protecting strategic countryside 'gaps' between built-up areas.

But there were objections from both Southbourne and Chidham parish councils and from local residents. Southbourne Parish Council said the location was not right for an industrial use of this nature, which had only been used for storage purposes in the past.

For the full story, see West Sussex Gazette August 6.