Deadly asbestos could be collected at a waste centre in Epsom, if plans submitted to Surrey County Council (SCC) are approved.

Furious residents have launched a campaign to stop the Chalk Pit in College Road from being turned into an asbestos transfer station.

They fear lethal asbestos particles will be released into the air as asbestos is transferred to sealed containers at the site before being taken elsewhere for disposal.

Asbestos is linked with mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly form of cancer, other forms of lung cancer and other critical diseases.

One of the objectors, Steve Gebbett, whose home is close to the Chalk Pit – currently used to run a refuse disposal business – said: “Very few people know about this and those that do are very concerned.

“There is a big cloud of dust arising from their normal operations and we are very concerned this will happen when they handling asbestos.”

Residents living nearby were not informed about the plan, submitted by Abal Waste, because SCC only notifies neighbours within a 90m boundary. All neighbouring houses fell outside the boundary.

SCC also put a public notice in a newspaper which does not cover the Epsom area.

Mr Gebbett said: “We are very angry with SCC which seems to have done very little in the way of consultation.

“Abal Waste said it would transfer waste into sealed containers manually from plastic bags. We are very concerned there could be dangerous particles in the air.

“I quite understand that asbestos has to be got rid of but I don’t understand why they want to transfer it at Epsom.”

College ward councillor Julie Morris said: “It is a dangerous material and they should use regional centres somewhere – not in the middle of residential areas. This borough is becoming a dumping ground and it is not acceptable.”

In a statement, Lawrence Wilton, director of Abal Waste said: “We understand people’s concerns, particularly when talking about materials like asbestos waste.

“However our proposal provides a means for handling asbestos waste generated in the local area in a responsible and highly regulated manner.

“Operations such as this are approved, monitored and regulated by the Environment Agency.

“Everything that is proposed is in accordance with environmental regulations.

“It would be scaremongering to suggest that the operations will be uncontrolled and harmful to the local area.”

Later he said: “As soon as you mention asbestos people react. Every building in the country has or has had asbestos. It is everywhere.”

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