Landfill boss backs fight against new tip

THE boss of a controversial landfill has offered to back residents in their battle to veto a new tip alongside the site.

Bryan Pinder, UK landfill manager for Veolia Environmental Services, made the move at a meeting of Saddleworth villagers called to discuss concerns over a potential site bordering the existing High Moor tip boundary.

Speaking of the potential new site, he told residents: “It is just not going to happen. I firmly believe no one can take it on.

“There are electricity pylons on the land which would need to be removed and we would not allow an access road across our land because of work we are carrying out. I have no interest in it.”

And he said he was hopeful the present Scouthead tip would be closed in four or five years time and tipping operations near homes at Thurston Clough would gradually move away.

He added: “I am hopeful capping off and greening that area would begin before the end of the year.”

The meeting, called by local councillors, highlighted residents’ concerns over a consultation document which identified a potential site to dump a further 1.8 million metric metres of waste at High Moor.

Mr Pinder said: “It is categorically not true that my company has any interest in this new site.

“My main focus at High Moor is to improve our operations, get the site filled as quickly as possible and then stay on to look after it.

“There are no other sites in Saddleworth we would want to develop.”

Mr Pinder, who is in charge of Veolia’s 13 landfills across the UK, added: “I know there have been mistakes at High Moor but we are working hard to get it right.”

Gordon Whitaker, the Environment Agency’s general manager, said he wanted Veolia’s management to take control of the current tip, adding: “I want them to deliver. We want the Veolia site to be the best it can be.”

Robert Knotts, from Austerlands, has been appointed to monitor residents’ interests at High Moor. He estimated it would cost more than £320 million to develop the new site.

“It would be madness,” he declared. “It just does not make sense to dig potentially noxious waste out of a former council tip, pay to have it moved elsewhere, and then fill the hole with more waste.”

Councillor Alan Roughley said the deadline for comments on the consultation document, prepared by the Association of Greater Manchester authorities, had been extended to May 11.

He and fellow councillor Derek Heffernan urged people to write to the Manchester Geological Unit.

For further information and to download a copy of the consultation document, go to www.gmwastedpd.co.uk.

Alternatively, it can be viewed at all libraries, and Access Oldham, planning reception on level 11, Civic Centre.

Comments can be sent to: Planning Team, Greater Manchester Geological Unit, Emerson House, 10th Floor, Albert Street, Eccles, M30 0TE, or e-mail planningteam@gmwastedpd.co.uk, or telephone 0161-779 6182.