Inspector throws out tip extension bid (From This Is Cheshire)

Inspector throws out tip extension bid

11:50am Wednesday 27th August 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

RESIDENTS are celebrating a local government victory after massive plans to develop the existing Risley landfill site were rejected after a lengthy appeal.

The 29-year-old site was due to close this October after the council refused waste company Biffa’s plans to keep the site open beyond its contract.

A public inquiry was opened at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in April after the waste giants appealed WBC’s decision.

But a planning inspector has thrown out the appeal to dump more waste from across the north west after the Risley Landfill Opposition Group put up a strong fight on the 34 hectare site.

Ian Jenkins, inspector, dismissed Biffa’s plans because of the potential damage caused to the green belt.

He said: “The landform extended as proposed would appear overbearing, creating a far greater sense of enclosure than the approved scheme, and this effect would not be reduced by the proposed planting. The impact would be high and adverse.”

The inspector said the sight and the sound of the M62 would be reduced if the plans went ahead and said an extension would reduce the long distance views to the north from the site’s hill.

Mr Jenkins’ decision also considered the effect on the countryside saying it would cause conflict when aiming to keep attractive landscapes.

Russ Bowden, spokesman for the opposition group and town councillor for Birchwood, said: “About 15 of us have been meeting regularly since October last year. We put forward a well argued case through the appeal - we thought we made a good presentation.”

Mr Bowden said the group had already made conditions for Biffa to adhere to had the appeal been accepted.

He said the lives of residents will change when the work stops because traffic and noise from the motorway will reduce significantly. He also said the awful smells would disappear and the visual amenity would improve.

The hard work has paid off for the group who posted around 30,000 leaflets and put up posters around the area in protest.

Biffa were unable to comment at the time of going to press.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)