Quarry tipping battle back on

Cllr Val Sedgwick and Robert Knotts outside entrance of Birks Quarry.

ANGRY campaigners are reforming the Birks Quarry Action Group after it was revealed a new permit application to use the area for landfill has been lodged.

Locals in Austerlands and Lees had hoped that a public inquiry in 2009, which turned down an appeal by the quarry’s Royton-based owners Opengoal Ltd, would be the final nail in the coffin for the plans.

It followed a long battle that saw an army of residents and politicians unite in a year-long mission to oppose tipping.

However, the Environment Agency has confirmed that a new application to dump demolition waste, mud, rock and bricks at the Huddersfield Road A62 site has been received.

Austerlands resident Robert Knotts, who helped lead the original campaign and is now a Saddleworth parish councillor, said: “We don’t know what’s going to happen, but we will oppose it vigorously and do what we can to try and stop this absolute nonsense.

“Having gone through the long and painful process we thought it was a battle won, this would take us back to square one.

“This is a total surprise and we have to question just what the company is trying to do.

“The big problem is road safety, there is not enough stopping distance and if this is passed you are going to end up with a very serious accident.”

He is to write to Oldham East and Saddleworth Labour MP Debbie Abrahams to gain her support against the application.

The permit is the only thing that stands in the way of the land being used for tipping, having been given planning permission from the Planning Inspectorate over 20 years ago.

Gordon Whitaker, Environment Agency manager for Greater Manchester, said initial checks are being made on the application.

He added: “If the application meets all of our requirements we expect that a public consultation period will be announced during July.”

The revelation could re-ignite anger among a raft of opponents, who campaigned on everything from noise, dust and bad smells to road safety, mud on the road and the effect on wildlife.

Oldham Council councillor Valerie Sedgwick said: “This has come as a shock. This was a long process and people worked very, very hard to oppose it and I can’t understand this latest application.

“It doesn’t seem like there has been any major changes, to the land, the road or anything.

“People will come together once again.”

Councillor Barbara Beeley, who was also active in the campaign, said: “I couldn’t quite believe it to be honest.

“We thought it would be over and done with but obviously not.

“Members are already on their starting blocks.”