AN environmental campaigner has warned of the potential dangers arising from a piecemeal approach to controversial proposals to extend the life of the giant Arpley landfill site at Warrington.
John Mulhall, (pictured) an independent candidate in the recent Bewsey and Whitecross ward borough council by-election is 
urging local councillors and parish councils to lodge objections to an application to build an internal road within the site.
Site operators Waste Recycling Group (WRG) are expected to apply before the end of February for permission to construct the road – despite the fact that in March they will be going back with the major application for permission to extend the life of the site for 12 years and carry out land raising operations.
Mr Mulhall believes all the applications should be heard at the same time and that by adopting a piecemeal approach the company is attempting to ease the way for the more controversial tip extension proposal.
He has written to borough councillors representing wards near to the site urging them to object to the road plan and is also urging parish councils at Great Sankey, Penketh and Cuerdley to object.
Mr Mulhall said: “If they object, the matter will have to go to the planning committee, who might share my view that all the matters should be considered together.
“If they don’t object, the road plan will be delegated to officers who may well approve it.
“This would make it more difficult to oppose the main application the following month.”
WRG has been consulting the public since last October. They stress the application is not to extend the size of the site but only an extension of time to complete tipping operations.
Nearby residents say they are sick and tired of hundreds of heavy lorries bringing waste to the site along roads which are struggling to cope.
Warning over tip extension plan
55 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
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.
5 Comments
This planning application should be considered by elected councillors as it affects all
residents of the town.
irrespective of who controls the council at the next may local elections,appoint an enviromental expert to help residents fight these two plans that could change at very short notice.
Such a controversial change which will affect the people of Warrington should only be considered and maybe approved by elected representatives i.e. The Development Control Committee not by delegated power of officials. It seems logical
to me that any application for modifications or extensions should all be considered at the same time by one committee.
Local Councillors and Parish Councillors shouldn’t need to be ‘urged to protest’ they should be doing this as a matter of course….are they not supposed to support the interests of the public who elected them? This issue is not not merely to do with the facts reported as “Nearby residents say they are sick and tired of hundreds of heavy lorries bringing waste to the site along roads which are struggling to cope.”
There are far wider public health and safety issues.
VERY RELEVANT SEE COMMENTS GATEWARTH LANDFILL SITE OF 26/02/11