BLASTING work which Wearside families fear could damage their homes is to be considered by planners.

Bosses at Houghton Quarry, in Houghton-le-Spring, want to blow up some of the rockface at the landfill site as they say it is in danger of collapse.

But nearby residents say the work will put their houses in danger, and isn’t covered by waste management company Biffa’s planning permission.

Now, Biffa is to submit an application for planning permission for a one-off explosion.

Dave Heaton, Biffa landfill general manager for the north, said: “Biffa has agreed to submit a planning application to undertake one controlled blast to stabilise the rock face for health and safety reasons.

“After discussions with Sunderland City Council we have agreed to submit plans to ensure any blasting work is fully covered by planning permission throughout.

“This remedial work has become necessary following a health and safety inspection which has identified a section of rock face as unstable and in imminent danger of collapse. We have taken short term measures to keep the area safe but we now need to bring in a qualified specialist to remove the unstable rock.

“The one-off blast is solely for health and safety reasons and will not increase the space for waste at the site. The council’s and Biffa’s geotechnical consultants both concluded these works are essential. We appreciate this may cause some disturbance to neighbours surrounding the site and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused in advance.”

The news has not been welcomed by residents, who held a 150-strong public meeting in April to protest about blasting.

They say previous blasting – in the years when the quarry operated – used to cause their house walls to crack, belongings to fall and shatter, and tiles and chimney pots to topple from their roofs. After the meeting, the plans were shelved pending further discussions with Sunderland City Council. Nothing more was heard until two weeks ago, when residents in Newbottle received a warning letter from Biffa.

Coun Sheila Ellis, secretary of local campaign group, Residents Against Toxic Site, said: “Feelings among local people are running very high, as they remember the damage caused when the quarrying company used to blast there.

“We haven’t yet been notified of the planning application but I am certain residents will strongly object to it.”

Colin Clark, the council’s head of planning and property, said: “The council has yet to agree the location of the blasting and Biffa have suspended their plans until such time as this has been agreed.

“We have yet to receive a new planning application. Any new application, once received, will be considered on its merits having regard to national and local planning policies and other material considerations.

“Neighbours will also be consulted and will have the opportunity to make representations through the planning process.”

Biffa is also believed to be planning to apply for an extension to their planning permission which would allow them to continue tipping at the site for up to another 25 years, adding up to 20ft more waste.

Earlier this year Biffa was fined £27,000 for persistent odour problems at the landfill site, after admitting two charges of failing to comply with environmental permit conditions.

For the latest on the blasting plans visit www.biffa.co.uk/waste-processing/landfill/houghton.html

An inspection has identified a section of rock face as unstable and in imminent danger of collapse