The future of a recycling business is under threat because it cannot win planning permission for a suitable new site.

Thames Valley Chamber of Trade and Commerce, which has taken up the case of J M Chisholm Ltd, has criticised Chiltern District Council for its 'negative and unhelpful' attitude.

J M Chisholm, based at Bovingdon Airfield, Whelpley Hill, which comes both under Chiltern District and Dacorum Borough councils, recycles builders' rubble, separating the earth for re-use as topsoil and the concrete and bricks for re-use in building and road foundations.

The company is looking for a new site because its application to stay at Bovingdon Airfield permanently was turned down. Its temporary permission had expired but it has now been granted another year's grace to find a suitable alternative site.

Managing director Jean Chisholm said: "After 15 years we've lost temporary planning permission to use our present site. Dacorum Borough Council refused permanent permission because it is in the Green Belt.

"We've been looking for an alternative permanent site for five years, but when we do find one, the council refuses us permission to use it."

He added: "We are a good little company and most of our business is done in Bucks and Herts and our ten staff all live in the area. There is no reason why we should not keep going if we could find the right site."

Andy Corrigan, policy and communications manager at the Thames Valley chamber wrote to Chiltern District Council urging it to help the company find new premises.

But in its reply of July 4, chief planning officer Michael Hartley said it was not the role of his department to assist companies to relocate and the council did not keep a register of vacant or suitable sites.

Mr Corrigan said: "We're shocked to find senior staff in a local council with such a negative and unhelpful attitude and are asking for assurances that their response in this case is not typical of their general stance on economic development."

Mrs Chisholm said Dacorum Borough Council, which is based in Hemel Hempstead, had suggested a number of sites in Herts, but the cost of the land was prohibitive for a small business.

"They the councils all want recycling. They are making the right noises but do nothing to back it up," she added.

A spokesman for Dacorum Borough Council said: "We were unable to grant permanent permission due to the presumption against permanent development in the Green Belt. The county council is the authority responsible for this area of recycling."