A PUBLIC inquiry into controver-sial plans for a waste recovery park on the banks of the Mersey heard the scheme would make a “significant contribution” to the Government’s Climate Change Programme.
The inquiry, being held in Frodsham, is expected to last between six and seven weeks and following opening statements yesterday began to hear evidence from applicant Peel Holdings.
Peel wants to build an incinera-tor which would recycle waste and burn it to generate electricity at Ince Marshes, near Helsby.
The inquiry is into the refusal of planning permission for a Resource Recovery Park which has seen huge local opposition.
Residents believe the 100 hec-tare site would threaten their health and quality of life.
Peel want to build the Resource Recovery Park on land adjacent to the Manchester Ship Canal.
An initial planning application for an integrated waste manage-ment facility and an environ-mental technologies complex, with road, rail and water access from upgraded shipping berth facilities was refused planning permission in November 2006.
A separate application for a Refuse Derived Fuel Plant was also refused and a revised plan was submitted to Cheshire County Council last July.
Peel Holdings has appealed against “non-determination” of the application, and more than 100 people packed into the meeting at the Forest Hills Hotel to hear the opening arguments and evidence.
Peel is expected to field at least 10 specialist witnesses over the next couple of weeks to address issues such as need, design, land-scaping, transport, noise, air quality, ecology and flooding.
Cheshire County Council will counter with its own team of officers, and inquiry inspector Simon Gibbs will also consider written and verbal submissions which are expected from a range of local organisations and individuals too.
Environmental expert Simon Aumonier was giving evidence for Peel yesterday on the need for the waste recovery plant.
A member of the Government's sustainable development commission panel, he told the inquiry the proposed facilities at Ince would help the Government’s Climate Change Programme.
In his evidence he also said it would “encourage investment and development in advanced waste management techniques and new products from recyclable materials; minimise the disposal to landfill of valuable resources; and enable and promote the transfer of waste materials by modes other than road transport (sustainable distribution).”
An extra evening session of the inquiry is expected to take place on Wednesday, April 30, at 7pm, for members of the public to attend.
liammurphy
