Elstree residents were left fuming after a change of use application on the controversial Reviva composting site was narrowly approved at the Hertsmere Planning Committee.

Driving the approval to change the site to storage from recycling was Tory Shenley Councillor Anthony Spencer who clearly did not understand that planning conditions could not be applied to curb future activity on the site. He also tried to get new Tory councillor David Carter to second it, but in the end it fell to rookie Councillor 22 year old Tory Glen Briski.

Just four Tory councillors – two of them new – voted for the scheme, whilst Labour councillors voted against it. Remaining Tory and Lib Dem councillors all abstained from voting.

Whilst longer term, recycling should cease on the site, Reviva are known for failing to comply and planning conditions cannot control what can now be stored on the site.

Campaigner Elsa Reyes said: “I would like to thank Councillor Caroline Clapper for speaking against the application and to Ann Goddard on behalf of Elstree and Borehamwood Green Belt Society and Elstree Village Preservation Society.”

The Labour Group did consider asking for the item to be defered, but the application would have been out of time and Reviva could have appealed on grounds of non-determination and leaving Hertsmere unable to act.