Tip plan welcome — and a warning

A decision to scrap plans for a tip at a beauty spot near the Daisy Nook Country Park has been welcomed by local MPs, councillors and residents.

The review of the Greater Manchester Geological Unit’s proposal has led to the Coal Pit Lane plan being dropped after 2,333 people objected.

But an MP says there is still a chance that scaled down proposals for a smaller tip could be submitted.

Opponents to the tip said the Daisy Nook and Medlock Valley country parks would be affected by pollution, dust, noise, flies and vermin heavy traffic and methane gas.

Those in favour said it would deal with an old colliery site, remove a spoil heap, treat mine shafts, manage the site and prevent unauthorised access.

Local MPs David Heyes, whose Ashton constituency includes Hollinwood and Failsworth, and Oldham West’s Michael Meacher, welcomed the news.

Mr Heyes said: “Not surprisingly, there was massive public opposition to a tip on the edge of a country park in the middle of green belt.

“My only concern is that I have been told that there is still a possibility that the landowner and the waste disposal company could come forward with plans for a smaller tip at Coal Pit Lane.

“If this happens the Labour party will swing into action again to campaign against a tip of any size.

“In the meantime I have written to the operator asking them to confirm their intentions.”

Hollinwood resident Jean Stretton added: “There wasn’t enough publicity about this consultation and people didn’t know anything about the threat of a tip at Coal Pit Lane, so we printed and delivered thousands of letters and leaflets asking people to back our ‘Say no to the Tip’ campaign. We had a massive response.”

Failsworth East ward Councillor Jim McMahon added: “The site was always a weak case and we need to make sure it doesn’t resurface as a future option.”