The countdown has begun for a scrap metal recycling company waiting to hear whether it will be given the go-ahead by Hertfordshire County Council to expand its facilities.

ASM recycling plant in Railway Terrace, Kings Langley, submitted a planning application for the erection of a building, additional hardstanding, replacement perimeter fencing and site gates for recycling, recovering, storage and management of waste metal.

According to Jo Brown, council representative, the decision date for the ASM application is November 2, but this could be subject to change.

The plant has been at the centre of numerous planning proposals and appeals in recent years, as owners have sought to extend and enlarge its facilities, much to the distress of local residents.

Following a five day public enquiry in October 2009, the plant, where metal waste is recovered, collected and organised, was refused permission to increase the number of lorries entering and exiting the plant to 60 a day.

The company was also prevented from erecting a depollution building on the site, which falls within Green Belt land, a four-metre security fence (not in keeping with the landscape) and from expanding the usage of the yard.