A WARRINGTON councillor has given notice he will be opposing plans for a waste transfer station expected to be submitted later this year.
Cllr Mike Hannon (pictured) was speaking after the borough council’s development management committee approved plans for fencing on land off the A49 Winwick Road.
He had opposed the fence plan – describing it as “presumptuous and premature” – and argued that it should be dealt with at the same time as the waste transfer station application.
It was inappropriate, at a time of financial constraint, for the council to be spending money on fencing a site which did not yet have planning consent and might prove too difficult to develop.
The plan is for a 2.4 metres high weld mesh fence and a six metre wide dual swing gate.
Planners say it is required to both secure the site and to enable completion of the eradication of Japanese Knotweed – currently not possible because of the location of skips and vehicles.
After the meeting, Cllr Hannon said only the fence had been approved and he would be opposing the main plan for the waste transfer station when it was submitted – perhaps in the spring.
He said: “I think this is more about revenue saving than environment – and not enough thought has been given to the impact the waste transfer operation will have on the A49. There will be an extra 100 lorries a day and whichever direction they come from they will have to pass the site once and then pass it again when leaving.
“The site is also too close to residential property. Waste will have to be left overnight and that will lead to vermin.
“I understand the reasoning behind the scheme. At present the waste has to be taken to Widnes, which is costly. But this is not the right site for the operation.”
Warrington North MP Helen Jones and local councillor Morgan Tarr have also announced their opposition to the waste transfer scheme and have launched a petition in the Orford area.
The type of fence to be erected
