WEST Devon Council is to challenge new Defra composting regulations that could spell ruin for local eco-friendly community projects. Those behind the threatened composting schemes say their activities divert hundreds of tonnes of garden clippings from landfill sights every year, and in some areas even provide jobs for the local community. But it is feared smaller projects will fold under the financial burden of new regulations which came into effect on July 1. Under new legislation, anyone composting more than five tonnes at any one time must pay more than £250 if they do not have a waste management licence. Executive member for the environment Cllr Margaret Rogers said the decision was ?madness? and members of the county council?s executive are unanimous in condemning the new rules. Cllr Rogers said: ?Community composting schemes play an important role in our sustainable waste management strategy. ?For years we?ve been trying to encourage more people to set up these schemes but this kind of silly regulation is likely to scupper such efforts.? The item was referred to the executive from the development control committee at the suggestion of one of its members, Cllr Roger Giles, himself a keen composter. Addressing the executive, he said: ?Community composting groups in Devon are at the forefront of sustainable waste management. ?By it own licensing arrangements, Defra will undermine Government objectives and damage or kill off many community composting groups. Projects in Horrabridge, Mary Tavy, Chagford and North Tawton are belived to be at risk from the new regulations and the executive has agreed to make representations to Defra to reconsider its new rules.