Arpley: after the jubilation, it's time for the realisation that tipping will not stop yet

AFTER the jubilation, now it’s time for realisation …that despite Warrington’s famous victory over the Arpley Landfill operators, work is unlikely to end at the controversial site for some time to come.
Site operators CFF Environmental will need time – possibly as much as two years – to restore the site.
And Secretary of State for Communities and the Environment Eric Pickles acknowledged in his decision letter that there might remain a need for continued tipping at Arpley in the short term.
He says, however, the need for the site beyond about 2017 is not compelling.
In addition, CFF have appealed against the refusal by Warrington Borough Council to grant permission for a shorter, five-year extension of the operational life of the site.
An inquiry into this appeal is expected to be heard early in the New Year.
There is also the possibility the company might consider calling for a Judicial Review into the Secretary of State’s most recent decision.
So although the battle to stop a 12-year extension of the site’s operational life appears to have been won, the story may not yet be over.
In the meantime, however, there is jubilation among local councillors and residents of the Sankey Bridges and Whitecross area.
Cllr Pat Wright said: “I am delighted that the Planning Inspector has endorsed the Council’s refusal of planning permission.
“This decision confirms that we were right to fight for the refusal of planning permission to operate the site for a further 12 years. Not only will it help residents have a better quality of life but this decision also helps protect the green belt.”
Cllr Wright said the council had pledged to do all it could to “end the nightmare” for local residents.
More than £70,000 had been spent on barristers and other experts to fight the appeal.
But a lot of credit also had to go to the volunteers from the Arpley Landfill Opposition Group who really helped mobilise public opposition and gather evidence for the appeal.
Cllr Jean Carter added: “There was clearly no evidence to support the appellant’s view that there was a need to operate the site for a further 12 years.
“But we are not resting on our laurels. We are going to work with council officers so that we robustly defend the council’s more recent decision to refuse planning permission to operate the site for a further five years.”
The long fight to block the tip extension plan was an all-party affair, with Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives all opposed to any extension of the tip life.
Residents of the Sankey Bridges area, who bore the brunt of disruption through heavy traffic, dusk, smells, flies, etc, also played a key role.
Pictured: An earlier “stop Arpley” protest.