Planning permission was granted by High Peak Borough Council for the change of use of the former Fibracon Twin Ltd site, off Jodrell Meadow.

But this was against the wishes of locals who wrote letters of objection and signed a petition.

Addressing last month's meeting of Whaley Bridge Town Council, resident Edward Kitchen said: "When the application was made public, I believe only one notice was put up on a telephone pole, certainly not in a position where every resident who was affected by the development could see.

"Residents commented on issues relating to noise, smell, pollution, hazardous chemicals being stored on site, and the general fact that the site is alone in entirely a residential area. Also, the site is accessed along a narrow road."

However, Mr Kitchen said, planning permission was granted under delegated powers - on the same day as the deadline for objections - and he felt the weight of opposition had warranted a public meeting.

"We are angry at the apparent disregard that has been given to the comments made by people who have written in, as well as the petition signed by in excess of 30 people."

Cllr John Pritchard explained how procedure was in place where residents could approach borough councillors, who could use their discretion to "call-in" an application for public debate.

But Mr Kitchen said this went against advice provided by the borough council in its letters, inviting comments to be sent directly to the planning department.

High Peak Borough Council said the authority handled planning applications in accordance with its constitution. In line with Government advice, the vast majority are determined by council officers.

A spokesperson said: "The application was of a type and scale that it was properly decided under delegated powers.

"The council sent 11 notification letters to adjacent residents and fixed a notice near the entrance of the site.

"Residents were further consulted over amended plans. This level of consultation far exceeds the statutory minimum."

No objections were received from environmental health officers, the Highway Authority or the Town Council, explained the spokesperson. Residents' objections were carefully considered.

"Ultimately, we considered that imposing conditions on the planning consent would overcome most of the objections made," they added.

The council has met with objectors, and wrote to the applicant emphasising the importance of abiding by the conditions.