Warrington's famous victory over Arpley tip

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WARRINGTON has won a famous victory to block the proposals to extend the life of the giant Arpley Landfill site by 12-years.
The proposals – which were subject to a lengthy appeal by site operators FCC – have been decisively reject by both the inspector who heard the appeal and by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles.
The news was welcomed today by both Warrington South Conservative MP David Mowat and his political rival, Labour prospective Parliamentary candidate Nick Bent.
Mr Mowat said: “This is excellent news for Warrington which means we can get on with properly developing the amenity value of this land and that the problems for the local area can be ended quite quickly.
“I am particularly pleased that one of the factors was that we were able to persuade some of the neighbouring councils to stop tipping their waste at Arpley.
“I hope the company will not seek a judicial review or some other tactic to drag this thing out.”
Mr Bent said: “This is an eviction notice for FCC, who have been a bad neighbour for too long, and I warmly congratulate residents and Labour Councillors who have campaigned tirelessly to get justice.”
The battle to end the problems of dust, dirt, smells, heavy traffic and pollution caused by the tip – particularly for residents of the Whitecross and Sankey Bridges area – was a cross-party affair from the start.
Local residents also mounted fierce opposition to the idea that the tip should continue for another years – and won strong support from their local councillors.
Hopes were raised that victory might be on the cards last August when it was revealed that Mr Pickles had asked for more information.
Mr Mowat said at the time there had been significant developments since the appeal was heard which, he believed “tipped the balance” in favour of rejecting the appeal.
The result had originally been expected last month, but Mr Pickles’ intervention put it back a month.
Had it not been for the appeal, tipping at Arpley would have to have ended more than a year ago.
Residents of the Whitecross and Sankey Bridges area are today celebrating an end to the misery they have suffered for years.
Pictured right MP David Mowat and (below) Nick Bent


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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