Stop the Slops: Protests at council approval of food waste depot in East Sussex town

Planning approval was granted on Wednesday 17 April for a new EV Food Waste depot at the site of the old household waste and recycling site in Newhaven. The site will house 15 electric fleet vehicles and two sealed containers for daily collection of food waste.

The application, submitted by the council itself, comes as local authorities prepare for food waste collections to become a statutory requirement by March 2026.

Concerns have been raised regarding the smell of the depot, the attraction of vermin and potential noise and traffic. Residents have come together to protest the decision, in a campaign titled “Stop the Slops”.

According to a letter sent by residents to LDC: “The site is in a residential area, with the nearest house just 50 metres away, and adjacent to a children’s play area. It is a highly unsuitable location for a food waste facility.

“Nearby residents, bar a very small number of houses north of the site, had not been adequately notified of the proposal. Around 100 objections were submitted in the days before the meeting, when locals became aware of the plan."

Newhaven councillor Lesley Boniface said: "I'm disappointed that this proposal wasn't better consulted with local residents especially those in the Valley and Lewes Road area. I'm also disappointed that Cllrs on the LDC Planning Committee were not given the opportunity to vote for a deferral whilst assurances around smell, noise and traffic were investigated further.

"With a popular and much loved nature park and play area at Riverside Park smell carried on a prevailing wind will make enjoying the park uncomfortable for many. I hope that LDC will take into account local feeling and review the decision."

According to Lewes District Council: “A significant number of representations were received shortly before the committee meeting which meant that they could not be fully considered. Council officers will consider them all and any substantive issues will be taken to an upcoming planning committee.

“The sealed containers will be exchanged every day and during the daytime hours for clean containers, with full containers transferred to the food and garden waste facility at Whitesmith for processing into compost. No processing or long-term storage will be held on site.

“Noise reducing gabion walls will be installed and officers are exploring other forms of noise mitigation. The containers are vermin proof and sealed when not in use. The site management team will also implement rigorous containment controls.

“Options were explored for incorporating these facilities within the existing main Robinson Road waste and recycling depot. However, the site is already at operational capacity and there is no safe way to add additional vehicles, equipment, and machinery, hence the decision to use a site within a close distance of Robinson Road.

“Prior to the planning application being considered, council officers and councillors visited neighbouring homes and gave a full presentation to Newhaven Town Councillors. Further consultation was carried out on the planning application to encourage comments from residents and businesses, including on social media by various town and ward councillors.”