Tip enforcer moving on

Moving on — Bill Darbyshire

The Environment Agency boss charged with investigating Oldham’s two controversial landfill sites is moving on.

Bill Darbyshire, EA manager for Greater Manchester, is to remain working for the agency on a partnership project with the National Trust.

But his role will be taken over by Gordon Whitaker who will lead a team of technical experts who have pushed forward improvements at High Moor, Scouthead, and are dealing with the permit application at Birks Quarry on the Austerlands/Lees border.

Mr Darbyshire’s departure was greeted with regret by Immigration Minister Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, and the former Minister of the Environment.

He said: “I am sorry he is moving on. It is a critical time for us in regards to the relationship between the senior officers of the EA and local residents who live near the infamous High Moor domestic waste tip and the hundreds who live near Birks Quarry.

“We need a strong person to take on his role at the Agency.

“They will certainly have a full-time job dealing with local residents who quite rightly want High Moor closed down and plans to dump half a million tons of inert waste in Birks Quarry refused.”

High Moor anti-tip campaigner Diane Bolan lives on a 13-acre farm backing on to the site with her builder husband, David, said: “We are still getting the gas in our homes and gardens and we are still suffering as much as we were two years ago when the promises were made.”

Keith Ashcroft, the EA’s area manager, said: “We are delighted to welcome Gordon to our area management team.

“He has a strong background in environmental regulation and brings a wealth of experience in environmental and people management.

“I understand people may be concerned about the change in management but I want to reassure the public High Moor and Birks Quarry will remain a high priority.”