Residents ready to fight tip appeal

AN appeal has been lodged against Warrington Borough Council’s refusal to allow another 12 years tipping at the giant Arpley Landfill site.
Site operators FCC Environment – whose application for an extension to their licence was refused in January – have lodged their appeal only days after receiving a formal letter from the council warning them to start winding down their operation at Arpley.
The licence runs out in October.
Cllr Pat Wright (pictured), who represents the Bewsey and Whitecross area on the borough council, said: “FCC Environment have finally lodged an appeal – but residents of Sankey Bridges and Saxon Park are ready to fight this appeal.”
The company’s licence application was turned down unanimously the the planning committee at a pack meeting at the Parr Hall in January.
If granted, it would have allowed them to bring waste into Warrington for another 12 years.
Nick Bent, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South, spoke at the Parr Hall meeting and is now urging residents to write to the Planning Inspector with their objections.
Local councillors are united against the tipping.
Cllr Wright said a letter from Mr Bent and Labour ward councillors would be going out shortly to inform and unite residents regarding the next steps to fight the controversial proposal.
She said: “We want Arpley tip closed for good so that we can see the end of Warrington being the dumping ground of the North West”.
A separate application to upgrade flue stacks at the site has also been received.
Cllr Steve Parish said: “This other application is from the company that generates electricity from landfill gas. Whatever happens with the appeal, the gas engines will be there for many years.
“It appears that this is to replace life-expired equipment but it means three stacks each 23 metres high rather than the present single 25 metre stack.
“Labour councillors for the local wards will make sure all the relevant environmental appraisals are done before consent is granted”.