Seven weeks before tip decision made

8:02am Friday 16th May 2008

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A PLANNING inspector says it will be the middle of the summer before he decides if a massive extension to Risley tip can be approved.

A two week long public inquiry came to an end on Thursday at the Pyramid Arts Centre.

Residents and Warrington Borough Council says owners Biffa should not be allowed to extend the tip, close to the junction with the M62, because of the environmental impact and the disruption for people living nearby.

The extension would take in a space equivalent to the size of 45 football pitches.

Jim Carr, spokesman for Risley Landfill Opposition Group highlighted the main objections of the residents' group at the closing of the public inquiry.

He said that the residents wanted an end to the 29 years of nuisance, which he likened to being an alien intruder.

Mr Carr said:"The balance on advantages stands at nil. No need and no landscape improvement and no public access. We don't need many disadvantages to outweigh nil do we?"

"We have had enough of the major neighbouring courbations assuming I an obligation on our part to act as dustbin to accept their rubbish, to act as the magic carpet under which they can sweep the residue of their failed waste management activities."

He appealed to Ian Jenkins, planning inspector to reject the eastern extension application.

Clr Jacqui Johnson addressed the key concerns of the Campaign to Protect Rural England group she said: "The need for this extension was based on the greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority contract, which went elsewhere before this application was decided. Waste inputs into Risley are not as high as they used to be and figures for regional waste have been challenged and have or are being revised. The situation appears unclear."

And as the inquiry came to a close, representatives for Biffa said Warrington should continue to take in waste from Manchester and Liverpool.

The inquiry heard that both of the conurbations had reached "crisis points" in their capacity and that it would be easier to increase the size of Risley rather than find a new landfill site elsewhere.

The inspector told the inquiry he would make his decision in around seven weeks time.