PLANNING chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to approve a three-year extension to the life of the controversial Risley Landfill site.
Tip operators Biffa Waste Services have applied for a two year extension for tipping activities and a further 12 months to complete restoration of the site.
It means the company would remain on the site until October 2011 – despite the fact that they have already lost an appeal against the refusal of planning consent to allow them to carry on beyond October of this year.
The application is to be considered by Warrington’s development control committee on Wednesday, December17.
Objections have been lodged by Birchwood Town Council and by about 30 nearby residents on the grounds of noise, vermin, traffic, etc.
But others who originally opposed the Biffa plan to extend the tip are now raising no objections.
Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council expresses concern over the lengthy timescales involved, Croft Parish Council raises no objections and the Risley Landfill Opposition Group “reluctantly accepts” that more time is needed to complete the landfill site.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.
They point out that the application is not a duplicate of the development which was the subject of the appeal.
There would be no extension onto adjoining farm land..
Issues such as noise, vermin, smells, etc would continue to be regulated by the Environment Agency.
They say if the extension to the life of the tip is not granted, it would not be successfully restored.
Alternatives to extending the life of the tip would not be environmentally acceptable.
A planning department spokesman said: “Regrettably, up to three years will be required before final restoration is achieved, but this is considered to be the most reasonable and environmentally acceptable solution.”
*See Opinion
