Environment officers have refused to regard noise emitted by Southern Cement, based in Ipswich, UK as a public nuisance.

Their decision came despite Liz Harsant, the leader of Ipswich Borough Council, admitting noise from the company’s operations constantly disturbed her sleep.

A heated meeting of the council executive at Grafton House on Tuesday heard from residents opposing an application by Southern Cement, based in Cliff Quay, to vary the conditions of an environmental permit.

Ipswich Borough Council’s environmental protection services manager, Steve Rock, said that until technology existed capable of reducing emissions, the council had no justification in refusing permission for a third 35 metre high silo at the site.

He added that noise pollution could not be controlled by the type of permit currently held by Southern Cement and the variation applied for by the company.

News of Southern Cement’s plan to expand operations was met by a 14 signature petition being handed to the council, by residents of Wherstead Road.

The petition, published in council papers, claims that Southern Cement breached previous environmental conditions by allowing dust into the atmosphere which reached Wherstead Road and Bourne Park.