Quarry plans bite the dust

Residents celebrating double victory

HUNDREDS of residents across Oldham are celebrating after council chiefs emphatically rejected controversial plans for two landfill tips.

Oldham Council has given the thumbs down to a new landfill at Coal Pit Lane and an extension to High Moor Quarry after a show of people power.

The plans were drawn up by the Greater Manchester Archaelogical Unit and submitted to the council as part of the consultation process on proposals to identify landfill sites across Greater Manchester.

High Moor tip at Scouthead had been identified as one of the “potentially suitable” sites, a move which could have extended the tip’s current boundary as well as the tip’s life.

The former colliery in Limeside was also identified as a potential site for a waste management facility by the Greater Manchester Joint Waste Development Plan.

But objections had been raised over increased traffic and because the site is in green belt land.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: “The council is well aware of the current issues of smell, noise and traffic around High Moor.

“Any extension would mean residents would suffer even longer.

“Coal Pit Lane is the other proposal which has also been officially rejected by the council. This site is located in the green belt and would significantly affect surrounding properties.

“The plans are simply not acceptable.”

MP David Heyes, MP for Failsworth and Hollinwood, has helped lead a campaign with Failsworth councillor Jim McMahon. Mr Heyes said: “I’m very pleased Oldham Council has now taken this step. It is a pity that it has taken such a high profile campaign to get them off the fence.”

Councillor McMahon, Labour leader, said: “The thing that matters is the end result and that, hopefully, will be not having a tip there.”

Councillor Derek Heffernan, who has led a campaign against High Moor tip, said: “It was an absolutely stupid suggestion and whoever made it did not know the area.”

Diane Bolan, who has been at the forefront of a campaign highlighting problems at High Moor, said: “I’m delighted Oldham Council has backed our fight. We don’t want any more misery.”