HEALTH inspectors are to look at a controversial plan for a slurry lagoon in Yarnton, outside Oxford.

The Environment Agency, which carried out its own research, has called in the Health Protection Agency after neighbours raised concerns.

The agency has said it did not expect the HPA’s findings to be any different to its own.

Waste management company Agrivert wants to create a 560ft by 200ft basin to store waste from its £9m anaerobic digester, which opened at the site in October.

Planning officials have recommended the scheme for approval, but the decision was delayed by Oxfordshire County Council earlier this month.

Environment Agency spokesman Hayley Willoughby said previous visits had revealed no noticeable odour from the site.

She said: “Due to recent concerns from residents the Environment Agency has asked the Health Protection Agency for an independent assessment of the health risks in response to the concerns raised.

“We will take advice from them if they perceive there to be a risk from the lagoon.

“However, we do not expect their findings to be different to those already stated above.”

Agrivert commercial director Harry Waters said: “We don’t expect the HPA’s findings to differ from those of the Environment Agency.”