Failsworth methane plant put on hold

PEOPLE power has persuaded applicants for a methane stripping plant in Failsworth to put their plans on hold.

As revealed in the Evening Chronicle, angry residents feared the specialised treatment facility planned for the former Hardman Fold landfill site would blight their lives with noise and smells and put them at risk of explosions.

But they are delighted that the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) has listened to their concerns, pulled the application and will now consult them before it is resubmitted.

Up to 100 residents, as well as councillors, attended a meeting at the Royal British Legion, New Moston, last week where the GMWDA addressed their concerns.

Resident Mark Flitcroft said: “They deserve credit for doing that.

“People were up in arms and didn’t know what to do. But they went out of their way to allay our fears and take us on a site visit to see sites that look okay.

“We still had concerns but GMWDA director Mike Newall said they will pull the application until more consultation is done. They will resubmit it but will keep in touch with residents, which is a really good thing.

“We would like to thank Mr Newall as he has taken our concerns on. He’s been excellent in liaising with us and it gives us confidence that when they put in the application they have done full consultation. We didn’t know what it was about but if it means we get a nice park rather than the wasteland there now then it’s a good thing.”

The site was used as landfill in 1978, restored by 1983, and is now covered in woodland.

But leachate, which contains methane gas, is draining into sewers from the ageing system at Hardman Fold, off Broadway, and is polluting Moston Brook.

The aim of the plant is to prevent the dissolved methane being discharged untreated into the sewer system and to stop potentially explosive concentrations of methane building up.

Residents had complained that consultation letters were sent out to only 304 out of 4,000 homes in the area.

The authority’s planning application says odours will not be significant, noise levels are unlikely to create complaints and there are no environmentally unacceptable impacts.

A GMWDA spokeswoman confirmed that there would be more consultation before Oldham Council’s planning committee considers the plans.

She added: “We have been pleased to be able to engage with local councillors and residents about the proposals for the site.

“This has enabled us to listen to them and allay their concerns about noise, odour and traffic flows and give reassurances that the plant would bring significant environmental benefits to the area.

“We have listened to and considered their views and are continuing to work closely with the community.

“The proposals for the site have already been modified to provide additional screening and landscaping.”

Anyone wanting more information can contact GMWDA on 0161-770 1700.