No waste incinerators here, insists Knowsley

Oct 25 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

COUNCILLORS in Knowsley have slammed the door on a waste incinerator being built within the borough.

Two Knowsley sites have been listed in a secret plan, but the council said there are no locations suitable within the borough’s boundaries.

It has potentially set the scene for a battle between the council and the Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA).

Last week, the Daily Post revealed how the MWDA had drawn up a secret plan for two incinerators in the region.

Two options are a site next to wood recycling firm Sonae UK on Moss Lane, on Kirkby industrial estate, in Knowsley and at Gillmoss Transfer Station on Stonebridge Lane, Liverpool. Two others are Crab Tree Rough, next to Getrag Ford car plant, Halewood, which is also in Knowsley, and Ditton railway sidings, near Halewood.

Last night the council said: “The council’s clear view is that there are no suitable sites for a waste incinerator within the borough of Knowsley.

“We will continue to challenge the Waste Disposal Authority until we get answers as to why they appear to prefer these sites.”

The MWDA said it did not have anything to add to a statement it released last week.

At the time, Carl Beer, director of MWDA, said: “This process has a long timescale attached to it and we are still in discussions.”

MWDA is sorting out new waste management contracts, as the existing ones expire next year. Part of that strategy will mean new facilities for processing and managing waste will have to be built. It said it would undertake a detailed consultation process.

In 2009, new landfill taxes come in that will mean that if Merseyside does not reduce its waste mountain it could be faced with fines of up to £30m.

The MWDA said it had identified a number of sites and was in discussion with landowners and local councils regarding their suitability.

“The sites that are being considered may not be the final locations of new facilities.”

Last night Knowsley council said it prided itself on its green credentials.

“We need to work together to look at alternative facilities to manage the disposal of waste in a way other than land fill.

“The council’s members and officers will continue to explore all available options to ensure that effective and appropriate arrangements can be made.

“As far as waste incineration is concerned, the site of any such facility should be far away from any similar sites and nowhere near the hearts of our communities.

“We must manage our waste effectively at the same time as ensuring the continued health and well-being of our residents and the environment.”

davidbartlett