A waste transfer station in Potters Bar has been forced to curb its waste and recycling activities following complaints from residents.

Neighbours complained about Chas Storer Ltd, in Coopers Lane, after it started bringing in trucks between 4am and 6am.

It also doubled the number of vehicles using the site to nearly 200 to deal with large amounts of mixed househould waste, including plastic bottles, glass and tins.

An appeal by the company against an enforcement notice by Hertfordshire Council has now been dismissed by the planning inspector following a week-long public inquiry that concluded in January.

The council's enforcement notice sought to restrict the site to operating on weekdays only, between 8am and 6.30pm. However, the inspector upheld the established working hours, but with a reduction in the number of vehicle movements between 4am and 6am, Mondays to Fridays.

Following the inspector's decision, the site has also been restricted to accepting paper, cardboard, plastic sheeting and green waste.

Chairman of Hertfordshire development control committee, Bryan Hammond, said: "We are satisfied with the inspector's decision, which has upheld the county council's enforcement notice on the site as well as its decision over the MRF, with some minor amendments.

"Issuing enforcement notices is usually a last resort for us and we seek wherever possible to resolve matters through discussion and negotiation with the operator.

"However, the county council will not hesitate to take appropriate action against unauthorised development in the county."

The company has six months in which to comply with the requirements of the amended enforcement notice. It also has the right to one further appeal through the courts, which must be lodged within six weeks of the date of the inspector's decision letter.

Transfer stations are used as a base for refuse collection vehicles and street sweeping operations, as well as for waste disposal. Once collected, waste is brought to the station and examined for any dangerous or hazardous materials before being disposed of or recycled.