Residents fight recycling plant expansion

ANGRY residents are fighting plans to extend the giant Novelis aluminium recycling plant at Latchford Locks, Warrington.
A petition signed by 45 people living on Steers Close, Hamilton Close and Fulton Close has been sent to Warrington Borough Council.
Members of the council’s development management committee are due to consider the proposals on Thursday, January 30.
The scheme involves installation of a new automotive scrap recycling facility in addition to the existing aluminium can recycling processes. An extension would be built, more than 200 metres from the nearest dwellings. It would be used on a 24-hour basis.
Planning officers, who are recommending the scheme be approved, say the existing plant has been in operation for at least 20 years. The additional facilities will increase the capacity of the site from 180,000 tonnes a year to 210,000 tonnes and generate an additional 23 jobs, in addition to the 146 employees who already work on the site.
Objectors say there will be an increase in noise and disturbance at a site which already generates traffic significantly above what would be appropriate. Residents already have to park half on the road and half on the pavement and the application will make traffic worse.
The works will be out of character with the area and will increase air pollution.
Planning officers say there are a number of existing recycling buildings between the site of the proposed extension and the nearest houses.
While it is a legitimate concern that the application would exacerbate existing issues on the site, it is believed any noise arising from additional equipment will be well below background noise levels. The new extension will contain acoustic insulation.
There will only a small mark up on existing heavy vehicle movements.