I am writing with reference to the planning application by Onyx South Downs Limited to build a "waste transfer station and materials recovery facility" a few metres from Downs Infant School.

Representatives from Onyx met staff and governors from Downs Infant and Junior Schools last week but little was done to allay our fears or appease our anger.

No environmental impact studies have been carried out on the effects of such a site on children. I believe this is a statutory requirement.

Nor has the "precautionary principle", endorsed by EU heads of government, been applied.

Simply put, this asks that the burden of evidence be upon the applicant to ensure its proposed activity does not have a continuing negative effect upon the environment and human health.

Both these failings confirm our belief our school has not been duly considered when assessing this site for such a development.

Forty-four tonne HGVs - the largest permitted on UK roads - will be driving alongside families walking to and from the primary and secondary schools in this residential area.

Parents, staff and governors are understandably concerned and there is widespread belief this site, so close to a school of 360 four to seven-year-olds, is wholly inappropriate and will be detrimental to their health and educational welfare.

I am convinced the only way Onyx South Downs Limited and Brighton and Hove City Council can regain any credibility is to withdraw this application immediately and seek an alternative resolution to the city's waste.

"We must never forget that a healthy environment is not a privilege but a basic human right, not least for our children" asserts the European Environment Agency and the World Health Organisation's Regional Office for Europe.

-Rachel Attwell, Chair of Governors, Downs Infant School, Brighton