Anger in new tip wrangle

FAIR play... Bill Darbyshire says residents will get a fair hearing

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

No time to waste over quarry quarrel

WORRIED householders are being urged to kick up a stink over plans to tip waste at a disused quarry close to their homes.

The move comes after a Royton-based company revealed it was seeking to operate a landfill at Birks Quarry on the Lees-Austerlands border.

Proposals to tip at the site off the A62 Huddersfield Road have been subject to bitter legal wrangles for more than 20 years.

The former Environment minister, Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth; and Robert Knotts, a retired university lecturer who lives near the site; have highlighted concerns.

Mr Knotts fears the new tip could bring similar issues experienced by homes and businesses at High Moor tip, Scouthead, only a mile away, which have been pervaded by vile odours.

Now, after pressure from councillors, the Environment Agency has extended its deadline for complaints until January 23.

And although a public meeting will take place at St John, Hey Hall, behind the church, on January 22 (7.30pm), councillors are pressing locals to register their complaints now.

Councillor Derek Heffernan said: “Feelings are running very high about Birks Quarry. Residents should register their complaints now.”

Fears also centre on the Birks Quarry entrance which, say locals, is on a dangerous bend.
Councillor Alan Roughley said: “The quarry is close to many houses. We stressed to the Environment Agency the need to contain noise from the site and effluent which could run on to the A62.”

The two councillors are working with colleagues, Councillors Mike Buckley, Brian Lord, Barbara Beeley and Val Sedgwick, to organise the public meeting.

Bill Darbyshire, manager of the Environment Agency for Greater Manchester, said: “We understand residents’ concerns.

“We have pulled out all the stops to ensure they get a fair hearing.”

Geoff Willerton, Oldham Council’s head of planning, said: “The council has fought long and hard against tipping at Birks Quarry. However, after several appeals, the decision was taken by the Planning Inspectorate to allow tipping.

“Access to the site has been our big concern too. But this has been eventually allowed on appeal with traffic lights."

The site is operated by Opengoal Ltd and total capacity of inert wastes at the quarry will be 540,000 tonnes. No more than 95,000 tonnes will be accepted per annum.

Complaints should be sent to: The Environment Agency, National Permitting Service, Fairclough House, Knutsford Road, Warrington WA1 1HT, quoting permit number: RP3234XC.

The permit can be viewed at Chadderton Town Hall or online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk