A metal recycling firm is to undergo a public inquiry into its licence in Bexhill-on-Sea.
Metal Recycling UK has operated on a light industrial site since May, but neighbours have complained that it is operating without planning permission.
East Sussex County Council has invited the company to make a planning application, which residents will be able to object to due to complaints over noise and disturbance from the site.
Residents have also complained to the local Rother District Council.
A joint statement from East Sussex County Council and Rother District Council said: “We have had further complaints from local people and enforcement officers are frequently carrying out unannounced visits to the site to monitor the situation.
“We are working with the police and the Environment Agency on this matter. The operator has recently undertaken an ecological survey. This will be analysed and a report produced which will be submitted to the county council with their planning application for waste uses in due course.
“In the meantime, the site will continue to be regularly monitored with liaison taking place between all the various agencies and the authorities concerned.
“Environmental health officers will meet with residents and perform ad-hoc visits, but as yet there are no statutory nuisance matters for the district council to deal with. Similarly, the county council has no current grounds for formal enforcement action to be taken.
“We will continue to respond to neighbours’ concerns and, if it is considered necessary to do so, appropriate action will be taken.”
