Tipping row goes to watchdog

The Huddersfield road entrance to Birks Quarry at Austerlands

A strongly-worded objection has been sent to a Government watchdog demanding an application for a permit to tip waste at a controversial quarry is refused.

The letter from John Hurst, Oldham Council executive director of environmental services, is the latest salvo in a battle surrounding Birks Quarry on the A62 Huddersfield Road.

The Environment Agency has already received a shoal of letters from residents raising objections to the plan which, if approved, would allow tipping of up to 95,000 tonnes of inert waste a year at the quarry on the Lees-Austerlands border.

Mr Hurst highlights serious concerns on a range of issues including road safety and the environmental impact on the community.

He says: “This will take several forms, ranging from general disturbance to specific nuisance such as noise, dust, fumes and vibration from plant and equipment and heavy vehicles.

“There are houses on either side of the site access road. In addition, there is potential for light nuisance resulting from the likely provision of floodlights in the site.”

He points out the council had previously objected to the planning application on traffic grounds.

He goes on: “It is the council’s view that there is a real and distinct possibility that highway safety will be prejudiced.”

After contacting Greater Manchester Ecology Unit, who advised there could be protected species and habitats on the site, the letter requests the EA ensures a full ecological survey is conducted.

The letter was welcomed by the newly-formed Birks Quarry Action Group, who, backed by Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, have launched a campaign against the tipping application from Royton-based Opengoal Limited.

Former RAF squadron leader Robert Knotts, a local resident and one of the committee, conducted a week-long survey some years ago using computer simulation to analyse traffic flow and accident potential which revealed the probability of accidents was very high.

Planning permission for Birks Quarry to be used as a tip was given 20 years ago on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate following repeated refusals by Oldham Council to give it the go-ahead.